Lawmakers have been concerned with the statistics related to motorcycle accidents as for a period of time, the number of fatalities was increasing year after year.
In 2012, statistics show a nine percent increase from 2011 of reported injuries and deaths related to individuals involved in motorcycle accidents. Following the release of the 2012 numbers, Governors Highway Safety Association Chairman, Kendell Poole, released a statement emphasizing the need to address the growing number of motorcycle accident deaths and injuries.
The most recent numbers available reported by the 2013 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) show that since the 2012 increase in non-fatal and fatal motorcycle accidents, there has been an overall 3.1% decrease in number of all types of fatal vehicle accidents the same year. This is consistent with the decreasing trend of 25% less fatalities on the highways since 2004.
FARS collects data from the 50 states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, on all fatal traffic accidents. To be included in the FARS data, the incident must include a motor vehicle traveling on a public highway and result in the death of at least one person within 30 days of the car accident.
In 2013, 4,668 motorcyclists were fatally injured, which was 318 less from 2012. Injuries from motorcycle accidents also decreased from 93,000 in 2012 to 88,000 in 2013. These statistics gave lawmakers, who were previously concerned with the growing number of tragedies on the road, hope that motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities were starting decline.
Prior to the decrease, the Governors Highway Safety Association defined strategies that supported motorcycle safety to help reduce motorcycle deaths. These include increased helmet use, reduction of speed, ensuring motorcyclists have the proper license and making necessary safety training available for motorcycle riders.
Additional agencies such as the National Highway Safety Administration provide education to motorcyclists regarding two important motorcycle campaigns to increase safety on the road. The Share the Road campaign was developed to help promote motorist awareness to safely share the road with motorcyclists, as well as emphasizing that motorcyclists have an obligation to make sure they are noticed while riding. Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over was yet another promotional movement aimed at reducing drunk driving. The statistics show a high percentage of fatal motorcycle accidents are caused by intoxicated riders. The National Highway Safety Administration stresses the importance for riders to only operate their motorcycles when sober and to utilize all safety measures.
