05/21/2026
Each year, motorcyclists are overrepresented in traffic crashes. Two leading contributors to this reality are speed and alcohol impairment. It is important to note that, while in years past, riding was seen as a leisure activity, it is now often a person’s primary, or only, mode of transportation. It is essential that riders and drivers pay close attention to their driving habits and to each other while on the road.
According to NHTSA’s national data:
·6,228 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2024, which represents 15% of all traffic fatalities.
·The fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled for motorcyclists was 27 times greater than the passenger car occupant fatality rate in 2024.
·37% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2024 were speeding, compared to 22% of all passenger car drivers. Motorcycle riders 15 to 20 years old involved in fatal crashes had the highest speeding involvement at 56% in 2024.
·Of the 2,125 motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2024, 40% were alcohol-impaired.
·Motorcycle helmet use increased among motorcycle riders from 66.5% in 2022 to 73.8.5% in 2023. Similarly, among motorcycle riders with passengers, helmet use increased 58.3% in 2022 and 72.3% in 2023.
