NTSB Press Release: Motorcycle Deaths Continue to Increase

[Rando]

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE
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National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2008
SB-08-43
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TRANSPORTATION FATALITIES DROP IN 2007; MOTORCYCLE DEATHS
CONTINUE TO INCREASE
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Washington, DC - Transportation fatalities in the United
States decreased by 4 percent in 2007 from 2006, according
to preliminary figures released today by the National
Transportation Safety Board.

The data indicate that transportation fatalities in all
modes totaled 43,193 in 2007, compared to 45,085 in 2006.
Although highway, marine, aviation, and pipeline deaths
declined, rail fatalities showed an increase.

"While statistics show that transportation fatalities have
declined this past year," said Acting Chairman Mark
Rosenker, "there is still much work to do to prevent the
loss of life on our roads, rails, waterways, and skies."

Highway fatalities, which account for nearly 95% of all
transportation deaths, decreased from 42,708 in 2006 to
41,059 in 2007. However, motorcycle fatalities not only
increased 6 percent from 4,837 to 5,154, but the 317
additional deaths that occurred in 2007 marked the single
largest increase in a specific category across all modes.
The number of fatalities decreased or remained approximately
the same in most other highway vehicle categories.

Aviation deaths decreased from 784 to 545. Nearly 90% of
aviation fatalities occurred in general aviation accidents
(491), but they still represented a significant decrease
from the previous year (703).

Marine deaths dropped from 800 to 766, with the vast
majority occurring in recreational boating (685). Other
marine categories, including cargo transport and commercial
fishing, remained nearly unchanged, although commercial
passengers vessels showed a slight increase.

Rail fatalities increased slightly from 774 to 808. The vast
majority of these fatalities were persons struck by a rail
vehicle.

Pipeline fatalities decreased by four (19 to 15), with a
slight decrease related to gas pipelines and an increase in
liquid pipeline operations.

Aviation statistics are compiled by the NTSB. Marine
numbers are provided by the Department of Homeland Security,
and numbers for all other modes by the Department of
Transportation.

[patches]

I don't think this report is really accurate as there are far more bikes on the road year after year with raising gas prices and baby boomers wanting new toys. The more there are, the more that will be in a wreck.
According to an avation site I go on, there are 10% less airplanes in the skies on a given day than there were 2 years ago. this is due to airline cut backs and rising gas prices.
Again, ride safe and watch out for the other guy.
My two cents..

[AnthonyG]

I agree - way more people riding bikes these days and sadly that means more deaths. It's a numbers game but hopefully with more people on bikes more people will know someone on a bike and pay a little more attention to us on the road.

[dltang]

Exactly what I was thinking as I was reading. Of course motorcycle fatalities are up, so are motorcycle riders. The numbers are higher and higher and you can't even get an accurate count because there are plenty of riders out there without an endorsement. Also, I think they are counting scooters and those bikes under 50cc's that are technically not road legal but people are riding them around town on the sides of the roads like a bicycle does and here in Michigan you don't need a helmet under 50cc. Anytime you increase a population of any given thing, you will have an increase in fatalities in that population. It is a numbers game.

[retread]

I'd like to see all the numbers; increase in bikes on road, how many didn't have M endorsement, how many didn't have MSF training, and so forth. A lot of kids buy a crotch rocket for their first bike, and go out and try to set records, with no idea how to do it.

[AMTJIM]

What a minute...useless info from a gov't agency?

[ataDude]

Actually, the only valid comparison would be a death rate per million miles driven by all folks.

.

[BRPjunkie]

Introduction of sit down personal watercraft caused an increase in boating deaths for same reasons; way more on the water and more people riding them who were not trained in boat safety.

[AnthonyG]

I live in a college town and a lot of students don't ride on the side of the road they ride ON the road - roads where the speed limit is 55 and above and they scoot along in shorts and flip flops with no regard for getting out of the way. It's a miracle more aren't killed although helmets are required here in Georgia.

[sleepman]

90% of statistics can be made to say anything 50% of the time.

Bottom line, as others have mentioned, they NTSB doesn't take into account how many more motorcycles were registered in 2007 than in 2006. I would almost guarantee it was significantly more than the 317 that the deaths increased by.

[spydeebike]

guys and gals, just say a short prayer and ride..............b safe