2023 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 2021, motorcyclists comprised 13.8 percent of all traffic deaths in the US. For comparison, motorcycles made up 3.5 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2021 and accounted for only 0.6 percent of all Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT.)

Breakdown of Motorcycle Fatalities Nationwide and in California in 2021

Break-down of motorcycle versus non-motorcycle fatalities nationwide and in California in 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data sources: i) Stewart, T. (2023). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021. DOT HS 813 435. NHTSA. Table 3, page 9;  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 2021, 14 percent (or 5932) of all motor vehicle fatalities nationwide were motorcyclists. 

  • In 2021, 13 percent (or 565) of all motor vehicle fatalities in California were motorcyclists.

Motorcycle Fatality Trends Nationwide and in California from 2017 to 2021

Trend-line chart detailing motorcycle fatalities nationally and in California from 2017 to 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2017 – 2020 Final File & 2021 ARF

Summary

  • Nationally, 5932 motorcyclists were killed in 2021.

  • In California, 565 motorcyclists were killed in 2021.

  • Motorcycle fatalities increased nationally by 7.7  percent between 2020 and 2021.

  • Motorcycle fatalities increased in California 2.9 percent between 2020 and 2021.

The 2021 National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) reported that DOT-compliant helmet use among all motorcyclists in the US (riders and passengers) decreased to 64.9 percent in 2021, not statistically different at the 0.05 level from 69.0 percent in 2020.  In states with a universal helmet law, which requires all motorcyclists to use a helmet, the known helmet use rate increased to 86.1 percent in 2021, not statistically significant from 84.0 percent in 2020.

Analyses presented in the motorcycle program area include fatal and serious injuries to drivers and passengers riding two- and three-wheel motorcycles, mopeds, motorized scooters, motorized bicycles, 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 2020 and 2021

Infographic detailing alcohol-impaired driving across all motor vehicle users and motorcyclists nationwide in 2020 and 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Stewart, T. (2023). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021. DOT HS 813 435. NHTSA. Table 6, page 16

Summmary 

  • In 2021, there was an increase in alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes compared to 2020 for all vehicle types. 

  • Motorcyclists recorded an 18.8 increase 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 2021.  

Motorcycle Fatalities and Serious Injuries by County in 2021

Top 5 Counties in California by Fatalities

RankingCountiesFatalities
1Los Angeles120
2San Bernardino47
3San Diego41
4Sacramento36
4Riverside30

Top 5 Counties in California by Fatalities Per 100k Population

RankingCountyFatalities Per 100k Population
1Calaveras13.3
2Trinity12.4
3Yuba6.1
4Nevada4.9
5Butte4.7

Top 5 Counties in California by Serious Injuries

RankingCountySerious Injuries
1Los Angeles821
2San Diego319
3San Bernardino230
4Riverside200
5Orange172

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

RankingCountySerious Injuries Per 100k Population
1Alpine166.8
2Mariposa64.2
3Sierra61.9
4Inyo52.7
5Tuolumne46.8

Data source: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021; ii) Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021 iii) 2020 Census State Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171) Summary File, U.S. Census Bureau.

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

Top Five Primary Crash Factors of Bicycle Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes in California (2021)

Bar chart detailing the top five most common primary crash factors in motorcycle fatal and serious injury crashes in California in 2021. 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) 2021.

Summary 

  • Unsafe speed was the most common primary crash factor in motorcycle FSI crashes in 2021 making up 29.1 percent, followed by improper turning and automobile right of way accounting for 21.9 and 16.0 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 2021 accounting for 10.1 and 5.5 percent respectively. 

Crash Location of Motorcycle Fatal Crashes

Crash Location of Fatal Motorcycle Crashes in California in 2021

Infographic detailing the breakdown of motorcycle fatal crashes by location in California in 2021. 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 source: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021; ii) California Public Road Data 2020. pp. 15-17, Table 4 2020 HPMS.

https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/research-innovation-system-information/documents/california-public-road-data/prd-2020-a11y.pdf

Summary 

  • Urban crashes accounted for nearly three quarters (74 percent) of all motorcycle fatal crashes in 2021 compared to the 26 percent that occurred on rural roads. 

  • Principal arterials were the most common location for motorcycle fatal crashes in 2021 accounting for 29 percent. 

  • Minor arterials, followed by major collectors made up the second and third most common crash locations in motorcycle fatal crashes in 2021 accounting for 22 and 18 percent respectively. 

  • The fourth most common crash location was interstates which made up 12 percent of motorcycle fatal crashes in 2021. 

  • Interstates, Other Freeways and Expressways, Local streets and Minor Collectors constitute the remaining 19 percent.

Fatal Motorcycle Crashes in California in Urban and Rural Areas Between 2020 and 2021

Infographic detailing the change in urban and rural motorcycle crashes in California from 2020 to 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2020 Final File & 2021 ARF 

Summary 

  • In urban areas, fatal crashes involving motorcyclists increased by 10.0 percent from 372 crashes in 2020 to 409 in  2021.  

  • In rural areas, they decreased by 12.5 percent, going from 168 crashes to 147 during the same time period. 

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 2021

Infographic detailing the gender, age and race of victims in fatal and serious injury motorcycle crashes in California in 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data sources: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021; ii) Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021

Summary 

  • Male victims made up 95 percent of all fatally injured victims while also making up 90 percent of all seriously injured victims in motorcycle crashes in 2021.

  • Male victims aged 25-34 were the most represented group in motorcycle crashes in 2021, making up 23.2 percent of fatalities. 

  • Male victims aged 25-34  were the most represented group in motorcycle crashes in 2021, making up 25.6  percent of serious injuries. 

  • Race was reported in only 27.1 percent of all motorcycle fatalities in 2021. Of the 153 fatalities of motorcycle crashes in 2021 with a known race, 81 percent were white.

Top Five Crash Types of Motorcycle Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes in California (2021)

Bar chart detailing the top five most common primary crash types in motorcycle fatal and serious injury crashes in California in 2021. 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) 2021

Summary 

Crashes in California (2021)

  • Broadside crashes were the most common type of motorcycle FSI crashes in 2021 making up 26.0 percent, followed by overturned (19.5 percent) and hit object (15.8 percent.)

  • Rear end crashes followed by sideswipe crashes made up the fourth and fifth most common type of motorcycle FSI crashes in 2021 accounting for 14.8 and 12.4 percent respectively. 

Time and Day of Motorcycle Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes

Time and Day of Fatal Motorcycle Crashes in California in 2021

Infographic detailing the most common day and time of day in fatal motorcycle crashes in California in 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) ARF 2021

Summary

  • 40.4 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes in 2021 occurred on Saturday and Sunday.

  • The peak period of all fatal motorcycle crashes (4.6 percent) in 2021 was Saturday afternoon between 12pm and 3pm.

  • 23.0 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes in 2021 occurred between 3pm and 6pm.

Time and Day of Serious Injury Motorcycle Crashes in California in 2021

Infographic detailing the most common day and time of day in serious injury motorcycle crashes in California in 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021

Summary 

  • 39.3 percent of serious injury motorcycle crashes in 2021 occurred on Saturday and Sunday.

  • The peak period of all serious injury motorcycle crashes in 2021 was Sunday afternoon between 3pm and 6pm.

  • 24.9 percent of all serious injury motorcycle crashes in 2021 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. (2021, December). California Public Road Data 2020
  2. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2022, March). Motorcycle helmet use in 2021 – Overall results. (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 270). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

  3. Stewart, T. (2023, April). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021 (Report No. DOT HS 813 435). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

  4. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2023, June, Revised). Motorcycles: 2021 data (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 466). National Highway Traffic Safety Administr

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.