2025 SafeTREC Traffic Safety Facts: Motorcycle Safety

Introduction

Crashes involving motorcycles are a major traffic safety concern in the United States.  Since motorcyclists are more susceptible to injury during crashes, they comprise a disproportionate share of all injured and killed vehicle occupants.  In 2023, motorcyclists comprised 15.5 percent of all traffic deaths in the US. For comparison, motorcycles made up 3.3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2023 and accounted for only 0.6 percent of all Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT.)

Breakdown of Motorcycle Fatalities Nationwide and in California in 2023

Break-down of motorcycle versus non-motorcycle fatalities nationwide and in California in 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data sources: i) National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, April). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. DOT HS 813 705. NHTSA, table 3 page 5 ii) State Traffic Safety Information (STSI). Traffic Safety Performance (Core Outcome)  Measures for California. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, C-7

Summary 

  • In 2023, 15 percent (or 6,335) of all motor vehicle fatalities nationwide were motorcyclists. 

  • In 2023, 14 percent (or 583) of all motor vehicle fatalities in California were motorcyclists.

Motorcycle Fatality Trends Nationwide and in California from 2019 to 2023

Trend-line chart detailing motorcycle fatalities nationally and in California from 2019 to 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2019 – 2022 Final File & 2023 ARF

Summary

  • Nationally, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in 2023.

  • In California, 583 motorcyclists were killed in 2023.

  • Motorcycle fatalities increased nationally by 1.3 percent between 2022 and 2023.

  • Motorcycle fatalities decreased in California 10.2 percent between 2022 and 2023.

The 2023 National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) reported that DOT-compliant helmet use among all motorcyclists in the US (riders and passengers) was 73.8 percent in 2023. In states with a universal helmet law, which requires all motorcyclists to use a helmet, the known helmet use rate was 82.7 percent in 2023.

Analyses presented in the motorcycle program area include fatal and serious injuries to drivers and passengers riding two- and three-wheel motorcycles, mopeds, off-road motorcycles, and other motor-driven cycles.  Motorcycle crashes are defined as a crash where one or more victims is a motorcycle driver or passenger.

Nationwide Summary

Alcohol-Impaired Driving Across all Motor Vehicle Users and Motorcyclists Nationwide in 2022 and 2023

Infographic detailing alcohol-impaired driving across all motor vehicle users and motorcyclists nationwide in 2022 and 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data Source:  National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, April). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. DOT HS 813 705. NHTSA, table 6 page 8; 

Summmary 

  • Motorcyclists recorded an 5.9 decrease in alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes.

California Summary 

The figures in this section refer to drivers and passengers of motorcycles fatally and seriously injured in a crash in California in 2023.

Motorcycle Fatalities and Serious Injuries by County in 2023

Top 5 Counties in California by Fatalities

RankingCountiesFatalities
1Los Angeles125
2San Diego52
3Riverside50
4San Bernardino48
4Orange42

Top 5 Counties in California by Fatalities Per 100k Population

RankingCountyFatalities Per 100k Population
1Tuolumne11.0
2Glenn10.5
3Colusa9.2
4Mono7.6
5Calaveras6.7

Top 5 Counties in California by Serious Injuries

RankingCountySerious Injuries
1Los Angeles754
2San Diego317
3Riverside210
4San Bernardino179
5Orange140

Top 5 Counties in California by Serious Injuries Per 100k Population

RankingCountySerious Injuries Per 100k Population
1Sierra250.5
2Alpine84.5
3Trinity50.2
4Calaveras46.8
5Lassen35.1

Data sources: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2023; ii) Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2023 iii) State of California, Department of Finance, E-4 Population Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, 2021-2025, with 2020 Census Benchmark. Sacramento, California, May 2025.

Primary Crash Factors and Crash Types for Motorcycle Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) Crashes

Top Five Primary Crash Factors of Motorcycle Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes in California (2023)

Bar chart detailing the top five most common primary crash factors in motorcycle fatal and serious injury crashes in California in 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Note: For more information on the different Crash Types, please see the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) Help FAQ page, in the Codebook - Crash Level Section

Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2023.

Summary 

  • Unsafe speed was the most common primary crash factor in motorcycle FSI crashes in 2023 making up 28.2 percent, followed by improper turning and automobile right of way accounting for 19.8 and 19.3 percent respectively. 

  • Driving or bicycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs followed by unsafe lane change made up the fourth and fifth most common primary crash factor in motorcycle FSI crashes in 2023 accounting for 8.7 and 5.2 percent respectively. 

Crash Location of Motorcycle Fatal Crashes

Crash Location of Fatal Motorcycle Crashes in California in 2023

Infographic detailing the breakdown of motorcycle fatal crashes by location in California in 2023. For more information, go to the following summary

Note: Urban and Rural areas are defined in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) based on the boundaries decided by the US Census Bureau which considers population and housing density. 

Data sources: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2023; ii) California Public Road Data 2022. pp. 10-12, Table 4 2022 HPMS. https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/research-innovation-system-information/documents/hpms2022_prd_final.pdf

Summary 

  • Urban crashes accounted for a little less than three quarters (73 percent) of all motorcycle fatal crashes in 2023 compared to the 27 percent that occurred on rural roads. 

  • Principal arterials were the most common location for motorcycle fatal crashes in 2023 accounting for 31 percent. 

  • Minor arterials, followed by major collectors made up the second and third most common crash locations in motorcycle fatal crashes in 2023 accounting for 28 and 16 percent respectively. 

  • The fourth most common crash location was interstates which made up 10 percent of motorcycle fatal crashes in 2023. 

  • Other Freeways and Expressways, Local streets and Minor Collectors constitute the remaining 15 percent.

Fatal Motorcycle Crashes in California in Urban and Rural Areas Between 2022 and 2023

Infographic detailing the change in urban and rural motorcycle crashes in California from 2022 to 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 Final File & 2023 ARF 

Summary 

  • In urban areas, motorcyclists fatatlities decreased by 12.4 percent from 2022 to 2023.  

  • In rural areas, motorcyclist fatalities decreased by 1.3 percent from 2022 to 2023. 

Victim Demographics for Motorcycle Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes

Gender, Age and Race in Victims in Fatal and Serious Injury Motorcycle Crashes in California in 2023

Infographic detailing the gender, age and race of victims in fatal and serious injury motorcycle crashes in California in 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data sources: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2023; ii) Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2023

Summary 

  • Male victims made up 95 percent of all fatally injured victims while also making up 89 percent of all seriously injured victims in motorcycle crashes in 2023.

  • Male victims aged 25-34 were the most represented group in motorcycle crashes in 2023, making up 22.0 percent of fatalities. 

  • Male victims aged 25-34  were the most represented group in motorcycle crashes in 2023, making up 26.1 percent of serious injuries. 

  • Race was reported in only 39.0 percent of all motorcycle fatalities in 2023. Of the 143 fatalities of motorcycle crashes in 2023 with a known race, 84 percent were white.

Top Five Crash Types of Motorcycle Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes in California (2023)

Bar chart detailing the top five most common primary crash types in motorcycle fatal and serious injury crashes in California in 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Note: For more information on the different Crash Types, please see the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) Help FAQ page, in the Codebook - Crash Level Section

Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2023

Summary 

  • Broadside crashes were the most common type of motorcycle FSI crashes in 2023 making up 31.1 percent, followed by overturned (15.9 percent) and hit object (15.5 percent.)

  • Rear end crashes followed by sideswipe crashes made up the fourth and fifth most common type of motorcycle FSI crashes in 2023 accounting for 14.5 and 12.5 percent respectively. 

Time and Day of Motorcycle Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes

Time and Day of Fatal Motorcycle Crashes in California in 2023

Infographic detailing the most common day and time of day in fatal motorcycle crashes in California in 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2023

Summary

  • 41.4 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes in 2023 occurred on Saturday and Sunday.

  • The peak period of all fatal motorcycle crashes in 2023 was Saturday afternoon between 12pm and 3pm.

  • 21.2 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes in 2023 occurred between 3pm and 6pm.

Time and Day of Serious Injury Motorcycle Crashes in California in 2023

Infographic detailing the most common day and time of day in serious injury motorcycle crashes in California in 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2023

Summary 

  • 34.9 percent of serious injury motorcycle crashes in 2023 occurred on Saturday and Sunday.

  • The peak period of all serious injury motorcycle crashes in 2023 was Saturday afternoon between 3pm and 6pm.

  • 25.7 percent of all serious injury motorcycle crashes in 2023 occurred between 3pm and 6pm.

Policies and Recommendations

The Federal Highway Administration names safe road users, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads, and post-crash care as key elements of a Safe System. These elements together create multiple layers of protection to improve safety for all road users including motorcyclists. Primary countermeasures used to address motorcycle safety include the following: 

  • motorcycle helmet laws and other helmet-oriented programs, 

  • rider training and licensing programs, 

  • vehicle enhancements, including anti-lock braking technology, 

  • rider conspicuity programs, 

  • campaigns to increase other road users’ awareness of motorcycles, and 

  • campaigns to reduce impaired riding.

Data definitions expressed as queries are available in the data dictionary on google sheets. 

References

  1. California Department of Transportation. (2023). California public road data 2022 (pp. 10–12, Table 4: 2022 HPMS). https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/research-innovation-system-information/documents/hpms2022_prd_final.pdf

  2. Federal Highway Administration. (2025, April 10). Table MV‑1: State motor‑vehicle registrations – 2023. In Highway Statistics Series: 2023. U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2023/mv1.cfm

  3. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, April). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023 (Report No. DOT HS 813 705). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

  4. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, July). Motorcycles: 2023 data (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 732). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This report was prepared in cooperation with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of OTS.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.