Rev Up Safety: Celebrate Motorcycle Awareness Month by Sharing the Road

Rev Up Safety: Celebrate Motorcycle Awareness Month by Sharing the Road

Motorcyclists’ Safety Is Everyone’s Safety
 
May marks the beginning of riding season for many motorcyclists in America. It is also Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds all motorists that Motorcyclists’ Safety Is Everyone’s Safety. Motorcycle safety is an ongoing responsibility for all road users. By consistently following safe driving and riding practices and sharing them with others, all motorists can help reduce the number of motorcyclist fatalities on America’s roads.
 
Each year, motorcyclists are overrepresented in traffic crashes. Two leading contributors to this reality are speed and alcohol impairment. It is important to note that, while in years past, riding was seen as a leisure activity, it is now often a person’s main or only mode of transportation. It is essential that riders and drivers both pay critical attention to their driving habits and to each other while out on the roads.
 
According to NHTSA data, there were 6,335 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2023, representing 15% of total highway fatalities for that year. Speeding was a major contributing factor for motorcyclist fatalities in 2023, accounting for 15% of all motorcyclist fatalities. More than half (51%) of those fatalities were motorcyclists, 21 to 24 years old. Alcohol impairment also played a significant role in motorcycle-involved crash fatalities: Forty-two percent of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2023 were alcohol-impaired.
 
Like seat belts, wearing DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets can save lives and reduce injuries. After three years of declines, helmet use increased from 64.9% in 2021 to 66.5% in 2023. NHTSA data estimates that helmets saved 1,872 motorcyclists’ lives in 2017 and that 749 more lives could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn their helmets. 
 
Vehicle drivers and motorcyclists can help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on America’s roadways by:
Observing all traffic laws and obeying the speed limit.
Driving and riding alcohol- and drug-free.
Avoiding distractions while driving or riding.
Yielding to motorcyclists, especially when drivers are turning at intersections.
Wearing high-visibility protective gear and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets while riding. Learn how to identify a safe, DOT-compliant helmet at www.nhtsa.gov/motorcycle-safety/choose-right-motorcycle-helmet.
 
One other significant step that motorcycle riders can take toward promoting road safety for all motorists is completing a rider education and training course.
 
For more information on motorcycle safety, visit NHTSA.gov/Motorcycles. For additional statistics, please visit https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/ and search “motorcycle” under Crash Data Publications.