The following definitions apply to terms used throughout this fact sheet: * Motorcycles are defined as two- or three-wheeled motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, mini bikes, and pocket bikes. * The motorcycle rider is the person operating the motorcycle; the passenger is a person seated on, but not operating, the motorcycle; the motorcyclist is a general term referring to either the rider or passenger. NHTSA publications prior to 2007 may not reflect this terminology. * The term “alcohol-impaired” defines motorcycle riders with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher. In this fact sheet for 2015, the motorcycle information is presented as follows: * Overview * Registration * Environmental characteristics * Crash involvement * Speeding * Age * Motorcycle engine size * Licensing and previous driving records * Alcohol * Helmet use and effectiveness. This fact sheet contains information on fatal motor vehicle crashes and fatalities based on data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). FARS is a census of fatal crashes in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico is not included in U.S. totals). Crash and injury statistics are based on data from the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) General Estimates System (GES). The NASS GES is a probability-based sample of police-reported crashes from 60 locations across the country, from which estimates of national totals for injury and property-damage-only crashes are derived. (Author/publisher)
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