Report: Little Progress in Reducing Motorcyclist Deaths

Last year saw little to no progress in reducing the number of fatal motorcycle crashes around the country, even though roadway fatalities are declining overall.

The Governors Highway Safety Association reported that motorcycle fatalities remained at about 4,500 in 2011 for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the same level as 2010. Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has projected that overall motor vehicle fatalities declined 1.7 percent in 2011, reaching their lowest level since 1949.

Comparing the first nine months of 2010 to 2011, motorcyclist fatalities decreased in 23 states, while they increased in 26 states and D.C., according to GHSA.

Several states reported notable declines. In Connecticut, for example, motorcycle deaths dropped 37 percent, while in New York and North Carolina they fell 16 and 21 percent, respectively.

In South Carolina and Texas, motorcycle deaths rose 26 and 16 percent, respectively, while in California they increased 10 percent.

According to Christopher J. Murphy, director of California’s Office of Traffic Safety, the state experienced a dramatic 37 percent decline in motorcycle deaths from 2008 to 2010, so while disappointing, it would not be unexpected to see a smaller decline or even an increase, for 2011.

The GHSA report notes that the economy can influence motorcycle travel in several ways. With the economy strengthening, more people will have disposable income for purchasing and riding motorcycles. At the same time, rising gas prices may cause more individuals to choose motorcycles for transportation because of their fuel efficiency.

GHSA’s report was authored by Dr. James Hedlund of Highway Safety North. Hedlund compared gas prices, motorcycle registrations, and motorcyclist fatality trends since 1976. He found that for the entire period fatalities closely track registrations, with significant similarities from 1990 to 2008. At the same time, as gas prices increase, fatalities also rise.

Another disturbing trend is the decrease in states with universal helmet laws, according to federal safety officials who rate helmet laws as one of the most effective motorcycle safety strategies. Only 19 states currently require all riders to wear helmets, down from 26 in 1997.

Earlier this year, Michigan repealed its universal helmet law and similar legislation has been introduced in five other states. No state has enacted a universal helmet law since Louisiana reinstated its requirement in 2004.