In 2006, the most recent year data is available, 4,810 motorcyclists were killed in crashes. This is 5 percent more motorcyclists than were killed in 2005. In fact, motorcycle crashes have increased every year for the past nine years. In 2006, motorcycle fatalities represented 11 percent of highway fatalities in the United States, but motorcycles represented only 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States. Motorcyclists were also 35 times more likely to die in a crash than the occupant of a passenger car and eight times more likely to be injured. An analysis of FARS data shows motorcycle fatalities also increased in 27 states and Puerto Rico between 2005 and 2006. Also noteworthy is the fact that in 2004, 2005 and 2006 more than half of all motorcycle fatalities in the United States occurred in a minority of states. In 2004, 55 percent of all motorcycle fatalities occurred in the following 11 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. In 2005, 63 percent of all motorcycle fatalities occurred in the following 14 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. In 2006, 67 percent of all motorcycle fatalities occurred in the following 15 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, nearly one third of all motorcycle fatalities occurred in California, Florida and Texas alone. The published report examines state motorcycle safety activities designed to mitigate or reverse the recent annual increase in motorcycle crashes. It includes tables on state education and licensing requirements and helmet laws. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting