We’re diving deeper into another key set of statistics—this time, focusing on location and time of day as provided by the NHTSA.
Road Conditions For Motorcycle Crashes
The first thing we’re looking at is the time and conditions as they relate to the majority of motorcycle accidents.
A 2021 NHTSA study indicated that:
-97 percent occurred in clear/cloudy conditions
-57 percent occurred during daylight compared
-92 percent occurred on non-interstate roads compared to 8 percent on interstates
So from that information we can gather that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents occur during what we, as riders, would consider to be optimal riding conditions: sunny, and during the day.
Additionally, the vast majority of crashes occur on ‘non-interstate roads,’ meaning not on the highway. So, we can assume that a significant portion of those accidents happen in what we would consider to be regular traffic.
Motorcycle and Vehicle Crash Involvement
Now, as far as crash involvement goes, the NHTSA found that:
The most harmful events in 2021 for 3,471 (57%) of the 6,082 motorcycles involved in fatal crashes were collisions with motor vehicles in transport. In two-vehicle crashes, 75 percent of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes were struck in the front. Only 8 percent were struck in the rear.
So, let’s think about what those statistics mean. More than half of motorcycle fatalities involved another vehicle.
Of those crashes, three-quarters were involved in forward facing collisions.
Additionally, the NHTSA found that:
In 2021 there were 3,052 fatal two-vehicle crashes each involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle. In 43 percent (1,315) of these crashes, the other vehicles were turning left while the motorcycles were going straight, passing, or overtaking other vehicles. Both vehicles were going straight in 640 crashes (21%).
What does that mean? The unfortunate reality is that a significant portion of those accidents where riders were passing or overtaking other vehicles can, in fact, be chalked up to rider error.
So, the adage goes: know your limits, and ride your own ride. As riders, we need to do what we can to mitigate our risk in an inherently risk-filled sport and environment.
That brings us, however, to the statistic that we’re focusing on.
“Only 8 percent were struck in the rear.”
While 8% might not seem like a lot—and people who don’t like riders in general will continue to harp on these statistics as if ALL crashes are riders’ fault—that’s almost 1 in 10 accidents that involve two vehicles (one being a motorcycle) that are decidedly not due to rider error.
That’s not to say that the aforementioned statistics indicate rider error every time—they don’t—BUT we can deduce that the majority of instances in which a motorcycle is struck from behind is both legally and practically the fault of the vehicle that causes the rear-end collision.
That’s Where Brake Free Comes In
We can’t change the way people ride. We can’t change the decisions that people make on their bikes that cause unfortunate accidents.
We can, however, try to mitigate the risk to riders when they’re involved in accidents that happen to no fault of their own. We can try to decrease the amount of accidents involving motorcycles that are due to driver error—and in particular, when drivers do not see motorcycles slowing down in front of them due to taillight positioning and a lack of discernible, eye-level features that indicate a rider is slowing down.
That’s why we made Brake Free—to try to stop accidents before they become statistics, in whatever way we can.
This Motorcycle Awareness Month, we’re urging riders to take control of whatever factors they can. Don’t drink and ride. Don’t blow double yellows. Don’t put yourself in danger.
And the factors you can’t control? Do what you can to mitigate that risk as well by increasing your visibility on the road. Stay safe and stay seen on the road and order your Brake Free today. It'll last a lot longer than Motorcycle Safety Awareness month, you know.
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