Motorcycle Highway Deaths Increase

August 2007

Attention bikers – motorcycle riders accounted for 11 percent of all national highway deaths in 2006. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released preliminary figures that show 4,810 motorcycle highway fatalities last year, the highest share ever for motorcyclists.

As more Harleys, Hondas, and Yamahas flood the highways, motorcycle highway deaths continue to rise. While total highway fatalities declined two percent in 2006, motorcycle highway fatalities rose five percent. According to a 2004 NHTSA study, bikers are 34 more times likely to die on the highway than people riding in passenger cars.

While we respect the freedom of choice of all riders, statistics show that helmets do save lives. Over 65 percent of all motorcyclists that died on the highways of helmet-optional states last year did not have any head protection at the time of their crash.