Motorcycles are less stable and harder for other drivers to see than cars, and they 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 2022, the number of deaths on motorcycles was nearly 22 times the number in cars (NHTSA, 2024).
Because serious head injury is common among fatally injured motorcyclists, helmet use is important. Helmets are about 37% effective in preventing motorcycle deaths (Deutermann, 2004) and about 67% effective in preventing brain injuries (NHTSA, 2008). Yet only 17 states and the District of Columbia mandate helmet use by all riders.
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are not designed for on-road use, but recently hundreds of riders have been dying each year in crashes on public roads.
The following facts are based on analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
Posted July 2025.
Trends
A total of 6,335 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2023. That is the highest number ever recorded and a 26% increase since 2019. Motorcycle deaths accounted for 15% of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2023 and were about triple the number of motorcyclist deaths in 1997.
Passenger vehicle occupant deaths and motorcyclist deaths, 1975-2023
Passenger vehicle occupant and motorcyclist deaths as a percentage of all motor vehicle crash deaths, 1975-2023
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
23,866
64
5,229
14
37,473
100
2018
23,046
63
5,038
14
36,835
100
2019
22,557
62
5,044
14
36,355
100
2020
24,135
62
5,619
14
39,007
100
2021
26,728
62
6,137
14
43,230
100
2022
25,803
60
6,255
15
42,721
100
2023
24,238
59
6,335
15
40,901
100
Passenger vehicle occupant and motorcyclist deaths as a percentage of all motor vehicle crash deaths, 1975-2023
Year
Passenger vehicle occupant deaths
Motorcyclist deaths
All motor vehicle deaths
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
The rate of unlicensed fatally injured motorcycle drivers during 2023 was higher than the rate of unlicensed fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers (35% vs. 18%). Both rates increased substantially from 2019 to 2020.
Passenger vehicle and motorcycle driver deaths by driver's license status, 2014-2023
Year
Passenger vehicle drivers
Motorcycle drivers
No valid license
Valid license
Total*
No valid license
Valid license
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
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
2,928
16
14,703
83
17,751
100
1,514
31
3,390
69
4,941
100
2018
2,781
16
14,359
83
17,263
100
1,404
30
3,270
69
4,724
100
2019
2,742
16
14,027
83
16,878
100
1,494
31
3,224
68
4,763
100
2020
3,717
20
14,402
79
18,316
100
2,032
38
3,231
61
5,307
100
2021
4,152
20
15,958
78
20,349
100
2,209
38
3,565
61
5,832
100
2022
3,670
19
15,709
80
19,615
100
2,180
37
3,730
63
5,966
100
2023
3,303
18
14,812
81
18,315
100
2,094
35
3,868
64
6,025
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Passenger vehicle and motorcycle driver deaths by driver's license status, 2014-2023
Year
Passenger vehicle drivers
Motorcycle drivers
No valid license
Valid license
Total*
No valid license
Valid license
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Thirty-five percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2023 occurred in single-vehicle crashes, and 65% occurred in multiple-vehicle crashes.
Motorcyclist deaths by crash type, 1975-2023
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
1,971
38
3,258
62
5,229
100
2018
1,879
37
3,159
63
5,038
100
2019
1,959
39
3,085
61
5,044
100
2020
2,250
40
3,369
60
5,619
100
2021
2,315
38
3,822
62
6,137
100
2022
2,328
37
3,927
63
6,255
100
2023
2,230
35
4,105
65
6,335
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Motorcyclist deaths by crash type, 1975-2023
Year
Single-vehicle
Multiple-vehicle
All crashes*
Deaths
%
Deaths
%
Deaths
%
Age and sex
In the late 1970s the proportion of fatally injured motorcyclists who were 50 and older started to increase. It rose from 3% of all rider deaths in 1975 to 14% in 1997 and 33% in 2023. In contrast, 30% of the fatally injured motorcyclists in 2023 were younger than 30, compared with 80% in 1975.
Percentage of motorcyclist deaths by age, 1975-2023
Motorcyclist deaths by age, 1975-2023
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
1,481
28
964
18
892
17
1,889
36
5,229
100
2018
1,396
28
934
19
864
17
1,844
37
5,038
100
2019
1,388
28
962
19
816
16
1,876
37
5,044
100
2020
1,486
26
1,192
21
930
17
2,006
36
5,619
100
2021
1,572
26
1,328
22
1,084
18
2,145
35
6,137
100
2022
1,672
27
1,358
22
1,060
17
2,158
35
6,255
100
2023
1,895
30
1,262
20
1,059
17
2,115
33
6,335
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Motorcyclist deaths by age, 1975-2023
Year
≤29 years
30-39 years
40-49 years
≥50 years
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Fifty-five percent of the female motorcyclists who died in crashes in 2023 were passengers, and their deaths represented 91% of the passenger deaths. The vast majority of male motorcyclists who died were drivers.
Motorcyclist deaths by person type and sex, 2023
Person type
Male
Female
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Driver
5,795
96
228
4
6,025
100
Passenger
29
9
281
91
310
100
Total
5,824
92
509
8
6,335
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Motorcyclist deaths by person type and sex, 2023
Person type
Male
Female
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Helmet use
In 2023, 64% of fatally injured motorcycle drivers were helmeted. Helmet use was lower, at 49%, for people killed as passengers on motorcycles.
Helmet use of fatally injured motorcycle drivers and passengers, 2023
Helmet
No helmet
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Driver
3,836
64
1,972
33
6,025
100
Passenger
153
49
144
46
310
100
Total
3,989
63
2,116
33
6,335
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Helmet use of fatally injured motorcycle drivers and passengers, 2023
Helmet
No helmet
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
In 2023, 89% of fatally injured motorcyclists were helmeted in states with helmet laws that cover all riders, in contrast to only 35% in states with no helmet law. In states with helmet laws that cover only some riders, 48% of fatally injured motorcyclists were helmeted.
Helmet use of fatally injured motorcyclists by helmet law status, 2023
Helmet
No helmet
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
No law
96
35
167
61
275
100
Partial law
1,767
48
1,758
48
3,670
100
Universal law
2,126
89
191
8
2,390
100
Total
3,989
63
2,116
33
6,335
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Helmet use of fatally injured motorcyclists by helmet law status, 2023
Helmet
No helmet
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Motorcycle type and engine size
Engine sizes of motorcycles whose drivers were killed in crashes have gone up dramatically. Among motorcycle drivers killed in 2023, 33% drove motorcycles with engine sizes larger than 1,400 cc, compared with 9% in 2000 and less than 1% in 1990.
Percentage of motorcycle driver deaths by motorcycle engine size, 1985-2023
Motorcycle driver deaths by motorcycle engine size, 1985-2023
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
2,063
47
703
16
1,281
29
4,422
2014
1,999
46
679
16
1,299
30
4,318
2015
2,236
47
741
16
1,400
30
4,732
2016
2,310
46
759
15
1,581
32
4,998
2017
2,291
46
726
15
1,606
33
4,941
2018
2,196
46
664
14
1,586
34
4,724
2019
2,192
46
679
14
1,624
34
4,763
2020
2,486
47
705
13
1,782
34
5,307
2021
2,726
47
761
13
1,998
34
5,832
2022
2,896
49
753
13
2,042
34
5,966
2023
2,971
49
756
13
2,005
33
6,025
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Motorcycle driver deaths by motorcycle engine size, 1985-2023
Year
0-1,000 cc
1,001-1,400 cc
>1,400 cc
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
Among the motorcycles whose drivers were killed in 2023, 95% of touring bikes had engines larger than 1,400 cc, while virtually all supersport bikes had engine sizes of 1,000 cc or smaller.
Fatally injured motorcycle drivers by motorcycle type and engine size, 2023
0-1,000 cc
1,001-1,400 cc
>1,400 cc
Total *
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Cruiser/standard
480
27
436
25
833
48
1,749
100
Touring
2
<1
61
5
1,136
95
1,199
100
Sport-touring
23
29
56
71
0
0
79
100
Sport/unclad sport
694
82
142
17
14
2
850
100
Supersport
1,307
99
18
1
0
0
1,325
100
Off-road
107
100
0
0
0
0
107
100
Other/unknown
358
50
43
6
22
3
716
100
Total
2,971
49
756
13
2,005
33
6,025
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Fatally injured motorcycle drivers by motorcycle type and engine size, 2023
0-1,000 cc
1,001-1,400 cc
>1,400 cc
Total *
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Among fatally injured motorcycle drivers in 2023, 21% of cruiser or standard motorcycle drivers were younger than 30 and only 7% of touring bike drivers were under 30. In contrast, 52% of fatally injured supersport drivers in 2023 were younger than 30.
Fatally injured motorcycle drivers by age and motorcycle type, 2023
<30 years
30-39 years
40-49 years
50+ years
Total *
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Cruiser/standard
367
21
317
18
315
18
750
43
1,749
100
Touring
85
7
168
14
214
18
732
61
1,199
100
Sport-touring
6
8
9
11
12
15
52
66
79
100
Sport/unclad sport
430
51
203
24
124
15
91
11
850
100
Supersport
688
52
369
28
188
14
80
6
1,325
100
Off-road
70
65
18
17
12
11
7
7
107
100
Other/unknown
168
23
131
18
122
17
293
41
716
100
Total
1,814
30
1,215
20
987
16
2,005
33
6,025
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Fatally injured motorcycle drivers by age and motorcycle type, 2023
<30 years
30-39 years
40-49 years
50+ years
Total *
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
At 85%, helmet use was highest among fatally injured drivers of supersport motorcycles in 2023, followed closely by sport/unclad sport at 80%. 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, 2023
Helmet
No helmet
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Cruiser/standard
987
56
713
41
1,749
100
Touring
614
51
541
45
1,199
100
Sport-touring
52
66
23
29
79
100
Sport/unclad sport
682
80
145
17
850
100
Supersport
1,122
85
158
12
1,325
100
Off-road
34
32
73
68
107
100
Other
224
57
151
39
391
100
Unknown
121
37
168
52
325
100
Total
3,836
64
1,972
33
6,025
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Helmet use of fatally injured motorcycle drivers by motorcycle type, 2023
Helmet
No helmet
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
When and where they died
Fifty-nine percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2023 occurred during May-September. Fatalities peaked in July and August and were lowest in January.
Motorcyclist deaths by month, 2023
Month
Deaths
%
January
207
3
February
299
5
March
351
6
April
545
9
May
707
11
June
719
11
July
778
12
August
777
12
September
738
12
October
573
9
November
368
6
December
273
4
Total
6,335
100
Motorcyclist deaths by month, 2023
Month
Deaths
%
Forty-seven percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2023 occurred on weekends, and those deaths were more likely to occur after 6 p.m. compared with weekdays.
Motorcyclist deaths by time of day, 2023
Weekend (6 p.m. Friday - 6 a.m. Monday)
Other times
Total
Number
%
Number
%
Midnight - 3 a.m.
305
10
184
5
489
3 a.m. - 6 a.m.
132
4
124
4
256
6 a.m. - 9 a.m.
80
3
267
8
347
9 a.m. - noon
213
7
285
8
498
Noon - 3 p.m.
434
15
510
14
944
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
500
18
827
24
1,327
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
749
25
696
21
1,445
9 p.m. - midnight
529
18
466
13
995
Total*
2,957
100
3,378
100
6,335
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Motorcyclist deaths by time of day, 2023
Weekend (6 p.m. Friday - 6 a.m. Monday)
Other times
Total
Number
%
Number
%
Fifty-six percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2023 occurred on major roads other than interstates and freeways. Deaths were more likely to occur in urban than rural areas (64% vs. 35%).
Motorcyclist deaths by location of crash, 2023
Road Type
Urban
Rural
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Interstates and freeways
608
10
123
2
731
12
Noninterstate major roads
2,604
41
917
14
3,521
56
Minor roads
855
13
1,175
19
2,030
32
Total*
4,075
64
2,224
35
6,335
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Motorcyclist deaths by location of crash, 2023
Road Type
Urban
Rural
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Alcohol involvement
Twenty-six percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers in 2023 had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08%; in single-vehicle crashes this was 40%.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers with high BACs by crash type, 2023
Crash type
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
%
Single-vehicle
2,127
857
40
556
26
Multiple-vehicle
3,898
727
19
406
10
All crashes
6,025
1,584
26
962
16
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers with high BACs by crash type, 2023
Crash type
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
%
Forty-four percent of motorcycle drivers killed at night (9 p.m. - 6 a.m.) in 2023 had BACs at or above 0.08%.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers with high BACs by time of day, 2023
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.)
1,664
730
44
470
28
Other times
4,361
854
20
493
11
Total
6,025
1,584
26
962
16
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers with high BACs by time of day, 2023
Time of day
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
%
ATVs
Deaths of ATV riders on public roads have increased dramatically 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% in 1982 to 48% in 2023. The proportion younger than age 20 decreased from 54% in 1982 to 21% in 2023. These data include both straddle-type ATVs and side-by-side models that have increased in popularity recently.
Deaths of ATV riders on public roads by age, 1982-2023
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
19
20
43
12
26
1
2
1
2
3
6
47
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
131
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
27
69
27
39
16
21
8
31
12
251
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
18
5
55
16
82
23
52
15
44
12
103
29
354
100
2018
19
5
43
12
72
20
61
17
59
16
108
30
362
100
2019
16
4
46
12
77
21
60
16
49
13
127
34
375
100
2020
18
3
82
15
126
23
99
18
78
14
153
27
557
100
2021
16
3
71
14
94
19
81
16
80
16
159
32
501
100
2022
34
7
68
14
95
20
64
13
76
16
146
30
484
100
2023
22
5
75
16
74
16
74
16
85
18
137
29
467
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Deaths of ATV riders on public roads by age, 1982-2023
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
%
Five percent of fatally injured ATV riders wore helmets in 2023.
Helmet use among fatally injured ATV riders on public roads, 2023
Helmet
No helmet
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Driver
21
6
313
83
375
100
Passenger
1
1
72
78
92
100
Total*
22
5
385
82
467
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Helmet use among fatally injured ATV riders on public roads, 2023
Helmet
No helmet
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Seventy-five percent of fatally injured ATV riders were killed in crashes involving no other vehicles in 2023, compared with 43% of passenger vehicle occupants and 35% of motorcyclists.
Crash deaths by number of involved vehicles and vehicle type, 2023
Crash type
ATV riders
Motorcyclists
Passenger vehicle occupants
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Single-vehicle
351
75
2,230
35
10,482
43
Multiple-vehicle
116
25
4,105
65
13,756
57
All crashes
467
100
6,335
100
24,238
100
Crash deaths by number of involved vehicles and vehicle type, 2023
Crash type
ATV riders
Motorcyclists
Passenger vehicle occupants
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Among ATV riders killed in single-vehicle crashes in 2023, 74% involved the ATV rolling over during the crash. This was comparable to the percentage for large trucks (65%), but higher than the percentage for passenger vehicles.
Occupant deaths in single-vehicle crashes by rollover, 2023
Rollover
No rollover
Total
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
ATV
259
74
92
26
351
100
Car
2,036
41
2,932
59
4,968
100
SUV
1,605
54
1,392
46
2,997
100
Pickup
1,261
53
1,123
47
2,384
100
Large trucks
269
65
142
35
411
100
Occupant deaths in single-vehicle crashes by rollover, 2023
Rollover
No rollover
Total
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
ATV rider deaths on public roads in 2023 were highest in July.
ATV rider deaths on public roads by month, 2023
Deaths
%
January
21
4
February
15
3
March
25
5
April
34
7
May
55
11
June
56
12
July
85
18
August
56
12
September
39
8
October
55
11
November
23
5
December
20
4
Total
484
100
ATV rider deaths on public roads by month, 2023
Deaths
%
Seventy-seven percent of ATV riders killed on public roads in 2023 were on rural roads. Of those, 86% were on minor roads.
ATV rider deaths by road type and land use, 2023
Road type
Urban
Rural
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
Interstates and freeways
1
0
1
0
2
0
Noninterstate major roads
14
3
33
7
47
10
Minor roads
77
16
309
66
386
83
Total*
92
20
359
77
467
100
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
ATV rider deaths by road type and land use, 2023
Road type
Urban
Rural
Total*
Number
%
Number
%
Number
%
In 2023, 49% of fatally injured ATV drivers on public roads had BACs at or above 0.08%. Impairment was highest at 67% among fatally injured ATV drivers ages 40-49.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured ATV drivers with high BACs on public roads by age, 2023
Age
Deaths
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08
Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15
Number
Number
%
Number
%
<20
63
6
10
4
7
20-29
54
34
62
21
39
30-39
65
42
65
33
51
40-49
76
51
67
37
49
50+
117
51
44
36
31
Total*
375
184
49
132
35
*Total includes other and/or unknowns
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured ATV drivers with high BACs on public roads by age, 2023