Fatality Facts 2017Motorcycles and ATVs
Overview
Motorcycles are less stable and less visible than cars and often have high performance capabilities. When motorcycles crash, their riders lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, so they're more likely to be injured or killed. The federal government estimates that per mile traveled in 2016, the number of deaths on motorcycles was nearly 28 times the number in cars.
Because serious head injury is common among fatally injured motorcyclists, helmet use is important. Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are not designed for on-highway use, but in recent years 300 or more riders died in crashes on public roads annually.
The following facts are based on analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
Posted December 2018.
Trends
A total of 5,172 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2017. Motorcyclist deaths had been declining since the early 1980s but began to increase in 1998 and continued to increase through 2008. Motorcycle deaths accounted for 14 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2017 and were more than double the number of motorcyclist deaths in 1997.
Passenger vehicle occupant deaths and motorcyclist deaths, 1975-2017
Passenger vehicle occupant and motorcyclist deaths as a percentage of all motor vehicle crash deaths, 1975-2017 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Passenger vehicle occupant deaths | Motorcyclist deaths | All motor vehicle deaths | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
1975 | 30,601 | 69 | 3,180 | 7 | 44,525 | 100 |
1976 | 31,724 | 70 | 3,306 | 7 | 45,523 | 100 |
1977 | 32,823 | 69 | 4,099 | 9 | 47,878 | 100 |
1978 | 34,923 | 69 | 4,574 | 9 | 50,331 | 100 |
1979 | 35,026 | 69 | 4,892 | 10 | 51,093 | 100 |
1980 | 34,996 | 68 | 5,138 | 10 | 51,091 | 100 |
1981 | 33,711 | 68 | 4,896 | 10 | 49,301 | 100 |
1982 | 29,656 | 67 | 4,449 | 10 | 43,945 | 100 |
1983 | 29,154 | 68 | 4,260 | 10 | 42,589 | 100 |
1984 | 30,094 | 68 | 4,602 | 10 | 44,257 | 100 |
1985 | 29,848 | 68 | 4,562 | 10 | 43,825 | 100 |
1986 | 32,224 | 70 | 4,566 | 10 | 46,087 | 100 |
1987 | 33,145 | 71 | 4,034 | 9 | 46,390 | 100 |
1988 | 34,105 | 72 | 3,661 | 8 | 47,087 | 100 |
1989 | 33,599 | 74 | 3,135 | 7 | 45,582 | 100 |
1990 | 32,711 | 73 | 3,243 | 7 | 44,599 | 100 |
1991 | 30,810 | 74 | 2,805 | 7 | 41,508 | 100 |
1992 | 29,457 | 75 | 2,395 | 6 | 39,250 | 100 |
1993 | 29,994 | 75 | 2,445 | 6 | 40,150 | 100 |
1994 | 30,820 | 76 | 2,317 | 6 | 40,716 | 100 |
1995 | 31,914 | 76 | 2,226 | 5 | 41,817 | 100 |
1996 | 32,354 | 77 | 2,161 | 5 | 42,065 | 100 |
1997 | 32,343 | 77 | 2,116 | 5 | 42,013 | 100 |
1998 | 31,781 | 77 | 2,294 | 6 | 41,501 | 100 |
1999 | 32,008 | 77 | 2,483 | 6 | 41,717 | 100 |
2000 | 32,109 | 77 | 2,895 | 7 | 41,945 | 100 |
2001 | 31,938 | 76 | 3,195 | 8 | 42,196 | 100 |
2002 | 32,724 | 76 | 3,267 | 8 | 43,005 | 100 |
2003 | 32,166 | 75 | 3,710 | 9 | 42,884 | 100 |
2004 | 31,750 | 74 | 4,026 | 9 | 42,836 | 100 |
2005 | 31,455 | 72 | 4,575 | 11 | 43,510 | 100 |
2006 | 30,628 | 72 | 4,810 | 11 | 42,708 | 100 |
2007 | 29,155 | 71 | 5,174 | 13 | 41,259 | 100 |
2008 | 25,547 | 68 | 5,307 | 14 | 37,423 | 100 |
2009 | 23,507 | 69 | 4,467 | 13 | 33,883 | 100 |
2010 | 22,351 | 68 | 4,517 | 14 | 32,999 | 100 |
2011 | 21,413 | 66 | 4,630 | 14 | 32,479 | 100 |
2012 | 21,906 | 65 | 4,986 | 15 | 33,782 | 100 |
2013 | 21,361 | 65 | 4,691 | 14 | 32,894 | 100 |
2014 | 21,131 | 65 | 4,594 | 14 | 32,744 | 100 |
2015 | 22,741 | 64 | 5,026 | 14 | 35,485 | 100 |
2016 | 23,957 | 63 | 5,337 | 14 | 37,806 | 100 |
2017 | 23,708 | 64 | 5,172 | 14 | 37,133 | 100 |
In 2017, 31 percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers were operating without a valid driver's license. The rate of unlicensed fatally injured motorcycle drivers during 2017 was higher than the rate of unlicensed fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers (31 percent vs. 16 percent).
Passenger vehicle and motorcycle driver deaths by driver's license status, 2006-2017 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Passenger vehicle drivers | Motorcycle drivers | ||||||||||
No valid license | Valid license | Total* | No valid license | Valid license | Total* | |||||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
2008 | 2,702 | 15 | 15,399 | 84 | 18,266 | 100 | 1,280 | 26 | 3,656 | 74 | 4,970 | 100 |
2009 | 2,407 | 14 | 14,294 | 85 | 16,834 | 100 | 975 | 23 | 3,163 | 76 | 4,163 | 100 |
2010 | 2,273 | 14 | 13,672 | 85 | 16,029 | 100 | 978 | 23 | 3,205 | 76 | 4,207 | 100 |
2011 | 2,254 | 14 | 13,225 | 85 | 15,561 | 100 | 1,021 | 24 | 3,300 | 76 | 4,341 | 100 |
2012 | 2,366 | 15 | 13,464 | 85 | 15,915 | 100 | 1,216 | 26 | 3,399 | 73 | 4,652 | 100 |
2013 | 2,319 | 15 | 13,174 | 85 | 15,577 | 100 | 1,227 | 28 | 3,165 | 72 | 4,422 | 100 |
2014 | 2,512 | 16 | 12,879 | 83 | 15,495 | 100 | 1,297 | 30 | 2,995 | 69 | 4,318 | 100 |
2015 | 2,583 | 16 | 13,942 | 84 | 16,629 | 100 | 1,375 | 29 | 3,326 | 70 | 4,732 | 100 |
2016 | 2,866 | 16 | 14,660 | 83 | 17,641 | 100 | 1,445 | 29 | 3,516 | 70 | 4,998 | 100 |
2017 | 2,907 | 16 | 14,626 | 83 | 17,662 | 100 | 1,495 | 31 | 3,350 | 69 | 4,885 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Thirty-eight percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2017 occurred in single-vehicle crashes, and 62 percent occurred in multiple-vehicle crashes.
Motorcyclist deaths by crash type, 1975-2017 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Single-vehicle | Multiple-vehicle | All crashes* | |||
Deaths | % | Deaths | % | Deaths | % | |
1975 | 1,149 | 36 | 2,025 | 64 | 3,180 | 100 |
1976 | 1,247 | 38 | 2,042 | 62 | 3,306 | 100 |
1977 | 1,579 | 39 | 2,503 | 61 | 4,099 | 100 |
1978 | 1,720 | 38 | 2,831 | 62 | 4,574 | 100 |
1979 | 1,919 | 39 | 2,957 | 60 | 4,892 | 100 |
1980 | 2,067 | 40 | 3,046 | 59 | 5,138 | 100 |
1981 | 1,952 | 40 | 2,920 | 60 | 4,896 | 100 |
1982 | 1,844 | 41 | 2,605 | 59 | 4,449 | 100 |
1983 | 1,835 | 43 | 2,425 | 57 | 4,260 | 100 |
1984 | 1,925 | 42 | 2,677 | 58 | 4,602 | 100 |
1985 | 1,928 | 42 | 2,634 | 58 | 4,562 | 100 |
1986 | 1,929 | 42 | 2,637 | 58 | 4,566 | 100 |
1987 | 1,661 | 41 | 2,373 | 59 | 4,034 | 100 |
1988 | 1,518 | 41 | 2,143 | 59 | 3,661 | 100 |
1989 | 1,382 | 44 | 1,753 | 56 | 3,135 | 100 |
1990 | 1,406 | 43 | 1,837 | 57 | 3,243 | 100 |
1991 | 1,238 | 44 | 1,567 | 56 | 2,805 | 100 |
1992 | 1,074 | 45 | 1,321 | 55 | 2,395 | 100 |
1993 | 1,021 | 42 | 1,424 | 58 | 2,445 | 100 |
1994 | 981 | 42 | 1,336 | 58 | 2,317 | 100 |
1995 | 927 | 42 | 1,299 | 58 | 2,226 | 100 |
1996 | 906 | 42 | 1,255 | 58 | 2,161 | 100 |
1997 | 898 | 42 | 1,218 | 58 | 2,116 | 100 |
1998 | 1,013 | 44 | 1,281 | 56 | 2,294 | 100 |
1999 | 1,098 | 44 | 1,385 | 56 | 2,483 | 100 |
2000 | 1,270 | 44 | 1,625 | 56 | 2,895 | 100 |
2001 | 1,422 | 45 | 1,773 | 55 | 3,195 | 100 |
2002 | 1,495 | 46 | 1,772 | 54 | 3,267 | 100 |
2003 | 1,569 | 42 | 2,141 | 58 | 3,710 | 100 |
2004 | 1,754 | 44 | 2,272 | 56 | 4,026 | 100 |
2005 | 1,971 | 43 | 2,599 | 57 | 4,575 | 100 |
2006 | 2,082 | 43 | 2,722 | 57 | 4,810 | 100 |
2007 | 2,262 | 44 | 2,910 | 56 | 5,174 | 100 |
2008 | 2,394 | 45 | 2,909 | 55 | 5,307 | 100 |
2009 | 1,987 | 44 | 2,478 | 55 | 4,467 | 100 |
2010 | 2,023 | 45 | 2,494 | 55 | 4,517 | 100 |
2011 | 2,088 | 45 | 2,542 | 55 | 4,630 | 100 |
2012 | 2,133 | 43 | 2,853 | 57 | 4,986 | 100 |
2013 | 1,938 | 41 | 2,753 | 59 | 4,691 | 100 |
2014 | 1,887 | 41 | 2,707 | 59 | 4,594 | 100 |
2015 | 1,994 | 40 | 3,032 | 60 | 5,026 | 100 |
2016 | 2,081 | 39 | 3,256 | 61 | 5,337 | 100 |
2017 | 1,956 | 38 | 3,216 | 62 | 5,172 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Age and gender
In the late 1970s the proportion of fatally injured motorcyclists who were 50 and older started to increase, rising from 3 percent of all rider deaths in 1978 to 14 percent in 1997 and 36 percent in 2017. In contrast, 28 percent of the fatally injured motorcyclists in 2017 were younger than 30, compared with 80 percent in 1975.
Percentage of motorcyclist deaths by age, 1975-2017
Motorcyclist deaths by age, 1975-2017 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | ≤29 years | 30-39 years | 40-49 years | ≥50 years | Total* | |||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
1975 | 2,538 | 80 | 428 | 13 | 129 | 4 | 81 | 3 | 3,180 | 100 |
1976 | 2,631 | 80 | 429 | 13 | 143 | 4 | 101 | 3 | 3,306 | 100 |
1977 | 3,279 | 80 | 537 | 13 | 149 | 4 | 129 | 3 | 4,099 | 100 |
1978 | 3,639 | 80 | 613 | 13 | 185 | 4 | 130 | 3 | 4,574 | 100 |
1979 | 3,732 | 76 | 747 | 15 | 233 | 5 | 173 | 4 | 4,892 | 100 |
1980 | 3,756 | 73 | 918 | 18 | 278 | 5 | 182 | 4 | 5,138 | 100 |
1981 | 3,594 | 73 | 850 | 17 | 262 | 5 | 181 | 4 | 4,896 | 100 |
1982 | 3,210 | 72 | 808 | 18 | 253 | 6 | 167 | 4 | 4,449 | 100 |
1983 | 3,074 | 72 | 776 | 18 | 239 | 6 | 165 | 4 | 4,260 | 100 |
1984 | 3,285 | 71 | 833 | 18 | 275 | 6 | 195 | 4 | 4,602 | 100 |
1985 | 3,265 | 72 | 861 | 19 | 247 | 5 | 184 | 4 | 4,562 | 100 |
1986 | 3,218 | 70 | 913 | 20 | 268 | 6 | 156 | 3 | 4,566 | 100 |
1987 | 2,727 | 68 | 853 | 21 | 286 | 7 | 168 | 4 | 4,034 | 100 |
1988 | 2,426 | 66 | 774 | 21 | 290 | 8 | 170 | 5 | 3,661 | 100 |
1989 | 1,927 | 61 | 760 | 24 | 288 | 9 | 157 | 5 | 3,135 | 100 |
1990 | 1,961 | 60 | 816 | 25 | 277 | 9 | 188 | 6 | 3,243 | 100 |
1991 | 1,629 | 58 | 728 | 26 | 296 | 11 | 151 | 5 | 2,805 | 100 |
1992 | 1,299 | 54 | 652 | 27 | 280 | 12 | 164 | 7 | 2,395 | 100 |
1993 | 1,267 | 52 | 665 | 27 | 335 | 14 | 176 | 7 | 2,445 | 100 |
1994 | 1,168 | 50 | 607 | 26 | 346 | 15 | 195 | 8 | 2,317 | 100 |
1995 | 1,103 | 50 | 576 | 26 | 359 | 16 | 188 | 8 | 2,226 | 100 |
1996 | 965 | 45 | 555 | 26 | 420 | 19 | 221 | 10 | 2,161 | 100 |
1997 | 860 | 41 | 556 | 26 | 405 | 19 | 294 | 14 | 2,116 | 100 |
1998 | 921 | 40 | 612 | 27 | 475 | 21 | 285 | 12 | 2,294 | 100 |
1999 | 898 | 36 | 612 | 25 | 570 | 23 | 403 | 16 | 2,483 | 100 |
2000 | 1,006 | 35 | 706 | 24 | 677 | 23 | 501 | 17 | 2,895 | 100 |
2001 | 1,134 | 35 | 798 | 25 | 729 | 23 | 532 | 17 | 3,195 | 100 |
2002 | 1,042 | 32 | 780 | 24 | 769 | 24 | 674 | 21 | 3,267 | 100 |
2003 | 1,179 | 32 | 837 | 23 | 903 | 24 | 789 | 21 | 3,710 | 100 |
2004 | 1,297 | 32 | 875 | 22 | 971 | 24 | 883 | 22 | 4,026 | 100 |
2005 | 1,441 | 31 | 975 | 21 | 1,027 | 22 | 1,131 | 25 | 4,575 | 100 |
2006 | 1,524 | 32 | 1,000 | 21 | 1,107 | 23 | 1,178 | 24 | 4,810 | 100 |
2007 | 1,581 | 31 | 1,043 | 20 | 1,173 | 23 | 1,372 | 27 | 5,174 | 100 |
2008 | 1,620 | 31 | 989 | 19 | 1,178 | 22 | 1,518 | 29 | 5,307 | 100 |
2009 | 1,186 | 27 | 851 | 19 | 1,016 | 23 | 1,411 | 32 | 4,467 | 100 |
2010 | 1,171 | 26 | 814 | 18 | 996 | 22 | 1,535 | 34 | 4,517 | 100 |
2011 | 1,228 | 27 | 827 | 18 | 944 | 20 | 1,630 | 35 | 4,630 | 100 |
2012 | 1,290 | 26 | 913 | 18 | 990 | 20 | 1,792 | 36 | 4,986 | 100 |
2013 | 1,281 | 27 | 817 | 17 | 953 | 20 | 1,640 | 35 | 4,691 | 100 |
2014 | 1,344 | 29 | 769 | 17 | 798 | 17 | 1,682 | 37 | 4,594 | 100 |
2015 | 1,477 | 29 | 855 | 17 | 884 | 18 | 1,808 | 36 | 5,026 | 100 |
2016 | 1,508 | 28 | 963 | 18 | 905 | 17 | 1,955 | 37 | 5,337 | 100 |
2017 | 1,462 | 28 | 950 | 18 | 889 | 17 | 1,868 | 36 | 5,172 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Ninety-one percent of motorcyclists killed in 2017 were males.
Motorcyclist deaths by age and gender, 2017 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age | Male | Female | Total* | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
<16 | 11 | 79 | 3 | 21 | 14 | 100 |
16-19 | 170 | 92 | 15 | 8 | 185 | 100 |
20-24 | 572 | 95 | 33 | 5 | 605 | 100 |
25-29 | 613 | 93 | 45 | 7 | 658 | 100 |
30-34 | 474 | 92 | 39 | 8 | 513 | 100 |
35-39 | 403 | 92 | 34 | 8 | 437 | 100 |
40-44 | 378 | 89 | 48 | 11 | 426 | 100 |
45-49 | 412 | 89 | 51 | 11 | 463 | 100 |
50-54 | 427 | 86 | 69 | 14 | 496 | 100 |
55-59 | 494 | 92 | 42 | 8 | 537 | 100 |
60-69 | 547 | 90 | 58 | 10 | 605 | 100 |
≥70 | 222 | 97 | 8 | 3 | 230 | 100 |
Total* | 4,724 | 91 | 446 | 9 | 5,172 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Fifty-nine percent of the female motorcyclists who died in crashes in 2017 were passengers, and their deaths represented 92 percent of the passenger deaths. The vast majority of male motorcyclists who died were drivers.
Motorcyclist deaths by person type and gender, 2017 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Person type | Male | Female | ||
Number | % | Number | % | |
Driver | 4,701 | 100 | 182 | 41 |
Passenger | 22 | <1 | 262 | 59 |
Total* | 4,724 | 100 | 446 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Helmet use
In 2017, 61 percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers were helmeted. Helmet use was lower, at 39 percent, for people killed as passengers on motorcycles.
Helmet use of fatally injured motorcycle drivers and passengers, 2017 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helmet | No helmet | Unknown | Total | |||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Driver | 2,992 | 61 | 1,747 | 36 | 146 | 3 | 4,885 | 100 |
Passenger | 110 | 39 | 161 | 57 | 13 | 4 | 284 | 100 |
Total* | 3,104 | 60 | 1,908 | 37 | 160 | 3 | 5,172 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
In 2017, 89 percent of fatally injured motorcyclists were helmeted in states with helmet laws that cover all riders, in contrast to only 31 percent in states with no helmet law. In states with helmet laws that cover only some riders, 42 percent of fatally injured motorcyclists were helmeted.
Helmet use of fatally injured motorcyclists by helmet law status, 2017 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helmet | No helmet | Unknown | Total | |||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
No law | 71 | 31 | 149 | 66 | 5 | 2 | 225 | 100 |
Partial law | 1,206 | 42 | 1,605 | 56 | 79 | 2 | 2,890 | 100 |
Universal law | 1,827 | 89 | 154 | 7 | 76 | 3 | 2,057 | 100 |
Total | 3,104 | 60 | 1,908 | 37 | 160 | 3 | 5,172 | 100 |
Motorcycle type and engine size
Engine sizes of motorcycles whose drivers were killed in crashes have gone up dramatically. Among motorcycle drivers killed in 2017, 33 percent drove motorcycles with engine sizes larger than 1,400 cc, compared with 9 percent in 2000 and less than 1 percent in 1990.
Percentage of motorcycle driver deaths by motorcycle engine size, 1985-2017
Motorcycle driver deaths by motorcycle engine size, 1985-2017 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | 0-1,000 cc | 1,001-1,400 cc | >1,400 cc | Total* | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | |
1985 | 2,682 | 67 | 614 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 4,021 |
1986 | 2,822 | 70 | 625 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 4,019 |
1987 | 2,515 | 70 | 602 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 3,590 |
1988 | 2,219 | 68 | 617 | 19 | 6 | <1 | 3,281 |
1989 | 1,879 | 68 | 539 | 19 | 3 | <1 | 2,780 |
1990 | 1,937 | 67 | 620 | 21 | 5 | <1 | 2,895 |
1991 | 1,672 | 67 | 556 | 22 | 13 | 1 | 2,496 |
1992 | 1,389 | 64 | 522 | 24 | 8 | <1 | 2,172 |
1993 | 1,371 | 62 | 586 | 26 | 11 | <1 | 2,212 |
1994 | 1,244 | 59 | 540 | 26 | 15 | 1 | 2,092 |
1995 | 1,215 | 60 | 568 | 28 | 22 | 1 | 2,020 |
1996 | 1,135 | 58 | 552 | 28 | 38 | 2 | 1,962 |
1997 | 1,079 | 56 | 618 | 32 | 33 | 2 | 1,937 |
1998 | 1,169 | 56 | 650 | 31 | 46 | 2 | 2,089 |
1999 | 1,099 | 48 | 644 | 28 | 99 | 4 | 2,286 |
2000 | 1,371 | 52 | 779 | 29 | 234 | 9 | 2,651 |
2001 | 1,553 | 53 | 781 | 26 | 309 | 10 | 2,953 |
2002 | 1,506 | 50 | 737 | 24 | 482 | 16 | 3,031 |
2003 | 1,641 | 48 | 830 | 24 | 614 | 18 | 3,423 |
2004 | 1,797 | 48 | 813 | 22 | 724 | 20 | 3,711 |
2005 | 2,092 | 49 | 932 | 22 | 865 | 20 | 4,253 |
2006 | 2,200 | 49 | 862 | 19 | 1,018 | 23 | 4,492 |
2007 | 2,425 | 50 | 917 | 19 | 1,120 | 23 | 4,853 |
2008 | 2,360 | 47 | 877 | 18 | 1,245 | 25 | 4,970 |
2009 | 1,847 | 44 | 736 | 18 | 1,144 | 27 | 4,163 |
2010 | 1,772 | 42 | 731 | 17 | 1,182 | 28 | 4,207 |
2011 | 1,980 | 46 | 755 | 17 | 1,183 | 27 | 4,341 |
2012 | 2,027 | 44 | 791 | 17 | 1,316 | 28 | 4,652 |
2013 | 1,951 | 47 | 692 | 17 | 1,276 | 31 | 4,126 |
2014 | 1,888 | 47 | 679 | 17 | 1,290 | 32 | 4,035 |
2015 | 2,065 | 47 | 727 | 16 | 1,384 | 31 | 4,415 |
2016 | 2,131 | 46 | 765 | 16 | 1,548 | 33 | 4,653 |
2017 | 2,178 | 45 | 730 | 15 | 1,595 | 33 | 4,885 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Among the motorcycles whose drivers were killed in 2017, 92 percent of touring bikes had engines larger than 1,400 cc, while virtually all supersport bikes had engines of sizes 1,000 cc or smaller.
Fatally injured motorcycle drivers by motorcycle type and engine size, 2017 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0-1,000 cc | 1,001-1,400 cc | >1,400 cc | Total * | |||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Cruiser/standard | 419 | 27 | 430 | 27 | 720 | 46 | 1,570 | 100 |
Touring | 0 | 0 | 74 | 8 | 848 | 92 | 922 | 100 |
Sport-touring | 17 | 33 | 31 | 61 | 3 | 6 | 51 | 100 |
Sport/unclad sport | 386 | 71 | 146 | 27 | 10 | 2 | 542 | 100 |
Supersport | 1,073 | 98 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1,090 | 100 |
Off-road | 91 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91 | 100 |
Other/unknown | 195 | 32 | 35 | 6 | 14 | 2 | 619 | 100 |
Total | 2,181 | 45 | 730 | 15 | 1,595 | 33 | 4,885 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Among fatally injured motorcycle drivers in 2017, 84 percent of cruiser or standard motorcycle drivers were 30 or older, as were 94 percent of touring bike drivers. In contrast, 56 percent of fatally injured supersport drivers in 2017 were younger than 30.
Fatally injured motorcycle drivers by age and motorcycle type, 2017 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
<30 years | 30-39 years | 40-49 years | 50+ years | Total * | ||||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Cruiser/standard | 244 | 16 | 245 | 16 | 288 | 18 | 793 | 51 | 1,570 | 100 |
Touring | 54 | 6 | 90 | 10 | 195 | 21 | 583 | 63 | 922 | 100 |
Sport-touring | 7 | 14 | 9 | 18 | 7 | 14 | 28 | 55 | 51 | 100 |
Sport/unclad sport | 263 | 49 | 134 | 25 | 86 | 16 | 58 | 11 | 542 | 100 |
Supersport | 607 | 56 | 316 | 29 | 129 | 12 | 38 | 3 | 1,090 | 100 |
Off-road | 56 | 62 | 20 | 22 | 11 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 91 | 100 |
Other/unknown | 160 | 26 | 92 | 15 | 104 | 17 | 262 | 42 | 619 | 100 |
Total | 1,391 | 28 | 906 | 19 | 820 | 17 | 1,766 | 36 | 4,885 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
At 83 percent, helmet use was highest among fatally injured drivers of sport-touring motorcycles in 2017, followed closely by sport/unclad sport at 82 percent and supersport at 81 percent. About half of fatally injured drivers of touring motorcycles and of cruisers or standard motorcycles were helmeted.
Helmet use of fatally injured motorcycle drivers by motorcycle type, 2017 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helmet | No helmet | Unknown | Total | |||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Cruiser/standard | 844 | 53 | 690 | 44 | 36 | 2 | 1,570 | 100 |
Touring | 468 | 50 | 429 | 47 | 25 | 3 | 922 | 100 |
Sport-touring | 42 | 83 | 8 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 51 | 100 |
Sport/unclad sport | 444 | 82 | 82 | 15 | 16 | 2 | 542 | 100 |
Supersport | 879 | 81 | 177 | 16 | 34 | 3 | 1,090 | 100 |
Off-road | 22 | 24 | 67 | 74 | 2 | 2 | 91 | 100 |
Other | 222 | 100 | 195 | 91 | 18 | 9 | 435 | 200 |
Unknown | 71 | 39 | 99 | 54 | 14 | 8 | 184 | 100 |
Total | 2,992 | 61 | 1,747 | 36 | 146 | 3 | 4,885 | 100 |
When and where they died
Fifty-eight percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2017 occurred during May-September. Fatalities peaked in July and were lowest in January.
Motorcyclist deaths by month, 2017 | ||
---|---|---|
Month | Deaths | % |
January | 191 | 4 |
February | 261 | 5 |
March | 320 | 6 |
April | 494 | 10 |
May | 506 | 10 |
June | 616 | 12 |
July | 707 | 14 |
August | 564 | 11 |
September | 610 | 12 |
October | 431 | 8 |
November | 270 | 5 |
December | 202 | 4 |
Total | 5,172 | 100 |
Forty-eight percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2017 occurred on weekends, and those deaths were more likely to occur after 6 p.m. compared with weekdays.
Motorcyclist deaths by time of day, 2017 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weekend (6 p.m. Friday - 6 a.m. Monday) | Other times | Total | |||
Number | % | Number | % | ||
Midnight - 3 a.m. | 264 | 10 | 173 | 7 | 437 |
3 a.m. - 6 a.m. | 100 | 3 | 100 | 4 | 200 |
6 a.m. - 9 a.m. | 66 | 3 | 210 | 8 | 276 |
9 a.m. - noon | 170 | 6 | 257 | 9 | 427 |
Noon - 3 p.m. | 392 | 16 | 435 | 17 | 827 |
3 p.m. - 6 p.m. | 447 | 18 | 632 | 24 | 1,079 |
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | 609 | 24 | 500 | 18 | 1,109 |
9 p.m. - midnight | 434 | 18 | 344 | 13 | 778 |
Total* | 2,492 | 100 | 2,680 | 100 | 5,172 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Fifty-three percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2017 occurred on major roads other than interstates and freeways. Deaths were more likely to occur in urban than rural areas (58 percent vs. 38 percent).
Motorcyclist deaths by location of crash, 2017 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Road Type | Urban | Rural | Total* | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Interstates and freeways | 494 | 10 | 121 | 2 | 615 | 12 |
Non-interstate major roads | 1,801 | 35 | 925 | 18 | 2,726 | 53 |
Minor roads | 727 | 14 | 939 | 18 | 1,666 | 32 |
Total* | 3,025 | 58 | 1,986 | 38 | 5,172 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Alcohol involvement
Twenty-eight percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers in 2017 had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08 percent; in single-vehicle crashes this was 42 percent.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers with high BACs by crash type, 2017 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crash type | Deaths | Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08 | Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15 | ||
Number | Number | % | Number | % | |
Single-vehicle | 1,853 | 786 | 42 | 522 | 28 |
Multiple-vehicle | 3,032 | 571 | 19 | 313 | 10 |
All crashes | 4,885 | 1,357 | 28 | 835 | 17 |
Forty-nine percent of motorcycle drivers killed at night (9 p.m.-6 a.m.) in 2017 had BACs at or above 0.08 percent.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers with high BACs by time of day, 2017 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Time of day | Deaths | Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08 | Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15 | ||
Number | Number | % | Number | % | |
Nighttime (9 p.m. - 6 a.m.) | 1,338 | 661 | 49 | 423 | 32 |
Other times | 3,547 | 696 | 20 | 412 | 12 |
Total | 4,885 | 1,357 | 28 | 835 | 17 |
ATVs
Deaths of ATV riders on public roads have increased nearly ninefold since 1982, the first year they were explicitly identified in FARS. The proportion of fatally injured ATV riders who were 40 and older increased from 9 percent in 1982 to 41 percent in 2017. The proportion younger than age 20 decreased from 54 percent in 1982 to 22 percent in 2017.
Deaths of ATV rider on public roads by age, 1982-2017 | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | <13 years | 13-19 years | 20-29 years | 30-39 years | 40-49 years | 50+ years | Total* | |||||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
1982 | 6 | 17 | 13 | 37 | 7 | 20 | 6 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 35 | 100 |
1983 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 43 | 12 | 29 | 5 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 42 | 100 |
1984 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 36 | 14 | 30 | 6 | 13 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 47 | 100 |
1985 | 9 | 20 | 20 | 43 | 12 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 46 | 100 |
1986 | 11 | 18 | 20 | 33 | 21 | 34 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 61 | 100 |
1987 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 24 | 23 | 31 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 74 | 100 |
1988 | 14 | 18 | 26 | 34 | 21 | 27 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 77 | 100 |
1989 | 13 | 14 | 39 | 41 | 21 | 22 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 95 | 100 |
1990 | 12 | 10 | 44 | 36 | 37 | 31 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 121 | 100 |
1991 | 10 | 8 | 34 | 29 | 42 | 36 | 18 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 118 | 100 |
1992 | 8 | 7 | 44 | 37 | 39 | 33 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 10 | 119 | 100 |
1993 | 11 | 11 | 42 | 41 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 102 | 100 |
1994 | 10 | 9 | 42 | 37 | 31 | 27 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 113 | 100 |
1995 | 9 | 9 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 102 | 100 |
1996 | 16 | 11 | 44 | 30 | 43 | 29 | 23 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 11 | 148 | 100 |
1997 | 10 | 8 | 47 | 36 | 33 | 25 | 18 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 130 | 100 |
1998 | 17 | 12 | 55 | 37 | 29 | 20 | 23 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 147 | 100 |
1999 | 13 | 8 | 60 | 35 | 46 | 27 | 26 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 10 | 173 | 100 |
2000 | 12 | 6 | 73 | 34 | 63 | 30 | 30 | 14 | 18 | 8 | 17 | 8 | 213 | 100 |
2001 | 19 | 8 | 69 | 31 | 51 | 23 | 46 | 21 | 19 | 8 | 20 | 9 | 224 | 100 |
2002 | 21 | 8 | 69 | 28 | 69 | 28 | 39 | 16 | 21 | 8 | 31 | 12 | 250 | 100 |
2003 | 22 | 7 | 83 | 28 | 73 | 24 | 49 | 16 | 43 | 14 | 31 | 10 | 301 | 100 |
2004 | 22 | 7 | 99 | 29 | 101 | 30 | 39 | 12 | 33 | 10 | 43 | 13 | 337 | 100 |
2005 | 29 | 9 | 87 | 26 | 89 | 26 | 46 | 14 | 40 | 12 | 46 | 14 | 337 | 100 |
2006 | 16 | 4 | 95 | 26 | 102 | 28 | 61 | 17 | 41 | 11 | 47 | 13 | 362 | 100 |
2007 | 17 | 5 | 79 | 21 | 116 | 32 | 60 | 16 | 60 | 16 | 36 | 10 | 368 | 100 |
2008 | 24 | 6 | 83 | 22 | 98 | 26 | 65 | 17 | 46 | 12 | 61 | 16 | 377 | 100 |
2009 | 16 | 5 | 70 | 21 | 81 | 24 | 54 | 16 | 61 | 18 | 53 | 16 | 335 | 100 |
2010 | 16 | 5 | 51 | 16 | 66 | 21 | 47 | 15 | 56 | 18 | 80 | 25 | 316 | 100 |
2011 | 10 | 3 | 47 | 15 | 74 | 24 | 54 | 18 | 54 | 18 | 66 | 22 | 305 | 100 |
2012 | 15 | 5 | 40 | 13 | 79 | 26 | 56 | 18 | 53 | 17 | 61 | 20 | 304 | 100 |
2013 | 14 | 4 | 48 | 15 | 73 | 23 | 61 | 19 | 48 | 15 | 76 | 24 | 320 | 100 |
2014 | 18 | 6 | 37 | 11 | 81 | 25 | 64 | 20 | 46 | 14 | 79 | 24 | 325 | 100 |
2015 | 19 | 6 | 42 | 13 | 73 | 22 | 53 | 16 | 50 | 15 | 97 | 29 | 334 | 100 |
2016 | 15 | 4 | 51 | 14 | 81 | 23 | 60 | 17 | 49 | 14 | 98 | 28 | 354 | 100 |
2017 | 14 | 5 | 51 | 17 | 69 | 23 | 43 | 14 | 36 | 12 | 87 | 29 | 300 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Nine percent of fatally injured ATV riders wore helmets in 2017.
Helmet use among fatally injured ATV riders on public roads, 2017 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No helmet | Helmet | Other/unknown | Total | |||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Driver | 218 | 83 | 25 | 10 | 19 | 7 | 262 | 100 |
Passenger | 26 | 84 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 31 | 100 |
Unknown | 5 | 71 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 7 | 100 |
Total | 249 | 83 | 26 | 9 | 25 | 8 | 300 | 100 |
Seventy-one percent of fatally injured ATV riders were killed in crashes involving no other vehicles in 2017, compared with 46 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes.
Crash deaths by number of involved vehicles and vehicle type, 2017 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crash type | ATV riders | Passenger vehicle occupants | All motor vehicle deaths* | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Single-vehicle | 214 | 71 | 11,019 | 46 | 19,969 | 54 |
Multiple-vehicle | 86 | 29 | 12,689 | 54 | 17,164 | 46 |
All crashes | 300 | 100 | 23,708 | 100 | 37,133 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Among ATV riders killed in single-vehicle crashes in 2017, 60 percent involved the ATV rolling over during the crash. This was comparable with SUVs and large trucks, but higher than cars (43 percent).
Occupant deaths in single-vehicle crashes by rollover, 2017 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rollover | No rollover | Total | ||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
ATV | 129 | 60 | 85 | 40 | 214 | 100 |
Car | 2,398 | 43 | 3,169 | 57 | 5,567 | 100 |
SUV | 1,722 | 62 | 1,037 | 38 | 2,759 | 100 |
Pickup | 1,420 | 55 | 1,140 | 45 | 2,560 | 100 |
Large trucks | 251 | 63 | 147 | 37 | 398 | 100 |
ATV rider deaths on public roads in 2017 were highest in June. Fifty-eight percent of the deaths in 2017 occurred during May-September.
ATV rider deaths on public roads by month, 2017 | ||
---|---|---|
Deaths | % | |
January | 11 | 4 |
February | 12 | 4 |
March | 16 | 5 |
April | 29 | 10 |
May | 28 | 9 |
June | 40 | 13 |
July | 39 | 13 |
August | 32 | 11 |
September | 34 | 11 |
October | 24 | 8 |
November | 15 | 5 |
December | 20 | 7 |
Total | 300 | 100 |
Seventy-nine percent of ATV riders killed on public roads in 2017 were on rural roads. Of those, 90 percent were on minor roads.
ATV rider deaths by road type and land use, 2017 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Road type | Urban | Rural | Total* | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Interstates and freeways | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Non-interstate major roads | 8 | 3 | 22 | 7 | 30 | 10 |
Minor roads | 42 | 14 | 214 | 71 | 256 | 85 |
Total* | 51 | 17 | 237 | 79 | 300 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
In 2017, 40 percent of fatally injured ATV drivers on public roads had BACs at or above 0.08 percent. Impairment was highest at 67 percent among fatally injured ATV drivers ages 30-39.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured ATV drivers with high BACs on public roads by age, 2017 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age | Deaths | Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08 | Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15 | ||
Number | Number | % | Number | % | |
<20 | 48 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
20-29 | 56 | 19 | 34 | 14 | 24 |
30-39 | 41 | 28 | 67 | 19 | 47 |
40-49 | 35 | 20 | 57 | 14 | 39 |
50+ | 82 | 36 | 45 | 25 | 30 |
Total | 262 | 106 | 40 | 73 | 28 |