From the Arkansas State Police:
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — 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, 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 road.
According to NHTSA data, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2022, representing 15% of total highway fatalities for that year. Speeding was a major contributing factor for motorcyclist fatalities in 2022, accounting for 35% 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 2022 were alcohol-impaired. In Arkansas, an average of 76 Arkansans are killed each year on motorcycles totaling 760 from 2013-2022.
Like seat belts, wearing DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets can save lives and reduce injuries. After three years of declines, helmet use increased from 65% in 2021 to 67% in 2022. 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.
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 or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136, and go to https://www.tzdarkansas.org/ to learn about Arkansas’ Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities
