The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released their 2022 Traffic Safety Facts for Motorcycles. The 15-page report details motorcycle safety data including geographic, demographic and other factors in crashes and fatalities involving bikers.
As is often the case, how statistics are framed can shape the narrative surrounding the numbers. NHTSA lists “Key Findings” from the report. Some of the major findings include:
- In 2022 there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed, 15% of all traffic fatalities. An increase of 1% from the previous year
- An estimated 82,687 motorcyclists were injured in 2022, a 3% decrease from 84,898 motorcyclists injured in 2021.
- 35% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2022 were not properly licensed.
- 42% of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2022 were alcohol-impaired.
On these four points, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has a strong message, too many bikers are being killed and injured on our nation’s roadways! It is unacceptable that 15% of deaths on the road are motorcyclists. An easy and obvious way to help bring that number down is to ensure those on motorcycles are properly trained and licensed to operate motorcycles. Additionally, the number of alcohol-impaired deaths is disgraceful. Reducing or eliminating impaired riding would make a dramatic difference to these numbers.
However, some of the points made in the report are spun in a way we find troubling. For example, NHTSA lists as one of its key findings:
- In States without universal helmet laws, based on known helmet use, 54 percent of motorcyclists killed in 2022 were not wearing helmets, as compared to 11 percent in States with universal helmet laws.
What is not highlighted is that 63% of all fatalities nationwide involved a rider wearing a helmet, based on known helmet use. Additionally, the lack of a mandate to wear a helmet doesn’t mean a motorcyclist can’t wear one. It just means that those riding are allowed to decide for themselves. This fact is spotlighted by the fact that 11 of 32 states without a mandatory helmet law (Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Wyoming), had the same number or more deaths among riders wearing helmets as without helmets.
MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard” quipped, “Looks like NHTSA won’t stop until all bikers killed are wearing a helmet!”
Another point to note is that an estimated 4.1 billion more miles were ridden on motorcycles in 2022 than the previous year. This is a 21% increase in miles traveled while fatalities only increased by 1%, showing that while the number of fatalities increased, the rate of fatalities per mile traveled decreased. One of NHTSA’s “Key Findings” for this report is that motorcycles in 2022 had a 26.16% fatality rate per mile traveled. They do not point out that in 2021 that same rate was 31.27%, giving motorcycles a reduction in fatalities of 5.11%. Meanwhile, passenger car fatalities dropped 0.07% and light trucks dropped 0.04% based on miles traveled.
Some other facts from the report:
- 35% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2022 were speeding.
- 66% of fatalities occurred in urban areas.
- 36% of fatal crashes occurred at an intersection.
- 58% of deaths happened during daylight hours.
- 92% occurred on non-interstate roads.
It is also important to note that according to NHTSA, “For the purposes of this fact sheet, motorcycles include 2- and 3-wheeled motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, minibikes, and pocket bikes.” However, in a move the MRF applauds, motorized bicycles (previously included in these numbers), have been removed from the motorcycle category and will now be categorized as bicycles.