Fatality Facts 2022Motorcycles and ATVs
Overview
Motorcycles are less stable and less visible than cars and 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 2021, the number of deaths on motorcycles was nearly 24 times the number in cars (NHTSA, 2023).
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 June 2024.
Trends
A total of 6,222 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2022. That is the highest number ever recorded and a 23% increase since 2019. Motorcycle deaths accounted for 15% of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2022 and were nearly triple the number of motorcyclist deaths in 1997.
Passenger vehicle occupant and motorcyclist deaths as a percentage of all motor vehicle crash deaths, 1975-2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 4,302 | 13 | 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 | 25,726 | 61 | 6,222 | 15 | 42,514 | 100 |
The rate of unlicensed fatally injured motorcycle drivers during 2022 was higher than the rate of unlicensed fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers (36% vs. 19%). Both rates increased substantially from 2019 to 2020.
Passenger vehicle and motorcycle driver deaths by driver's license status, 2012-2022 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Passenger vehicle drivers | Motorcycle drivers | ||||||||||
No valid license | Valid license | Total* | No valid license | Valid license | Total* | |||||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
2013 | 2,319 | 15 | 13,174 | 85 | 15,577 | 100 | 1,227 | 28 | 3,165 | 72 | 4,422 | 100 |
2014 | 2,512 | 16 | 12,879 | 83 | 15,495 | 100 | 1,116 | 28 | 2,900 | 72 | 4,041 | 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 | 3,654 | 19 | 15,672 | 80 | 19,565 | 100 | 2,162 | 36 | 3,713 | 63 | 5,935 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Thirty-seven percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2022 occurred in single-vehicle crashes, and 63% occurred in multiple-vehicle crashes.
Motorcyclist deaths by crash type, 1975-2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 1,799 | 42 | 2,503 | 58 | 4,302 | 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 | 2,315 | 37 | 3,907 | 63 | 6,222 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Age and sex
In the late 1970s the proportion of fatally injured motorcyclists who were 50 and older started to increase, rising from 3% of all rider deaths in 1975 to 14% in 1997 and 34% in 2022. In contrast, 27% of the fatally injured motorcyclists in 2022 were younger than 30, compared with 80% in 1975.
Motorcyclist deaths by age, 1975-2022 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 1,276 | 30 | 725 | 17 | 747 | 17 | 1,553 | 36 | 4,302 | 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 | 1,671 | 27 | 1,348 | 22 | 1,049 | 17 | 2,146 | 34 | 6,222 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Fifty-four percent of the female motorcyclists who died in crashes in 2022 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, 2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Person type | Male | Female | Total* | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Driver | 5,707 | 96 | 222 | 4 | 5,935 | 100 |
Passenger | 26 | 9 | 257 | 91 | 283 | 100 |
Total | 5,736 | 92 | 480 | 8 | 6,222 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Helmet use
In 2022, 62% of fatally injured motorcycle drivers were helmeted. Helmet use was lower, at 42%, for people killed as passengers on motorcycles.
Helmet use of fatally injured motorcycle drivers and passengers, 2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helmet | No helmet | Total* | ||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Driver | 3,676 | 62 | 2,038 | 34 | 5,935 | 100 |
Passenger | 118 | 42 | 147 | 52 | 283 | 100 |
Total | 3,798 | 61 | 2,185 | 35 | 6,222 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
In 2022, 88% of fatally injured motorcyclists were helmeted in states with helmet laws that cover all riders, in contrast to only 33% in states with no helmet law. In states with helmet laws that cover only some riders, 45% of fatally injured motorcyclists were helmeted.
Helmet use of fatally injured motorcyclists by helmet law status, 2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helmet | No helmet | Total* | ||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
No law | 76 | 33 | 150 | 64 | 233 | 100 |
Partial law | 1,613 | 45 | 1,824 | 51 | 3,581 | 100 |
Universal law | 2,109 | 88 | 211 | 9 | 2,408 | 100 |
Total | 3,798 | 61 | 2,185 | 35 | 6,222 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Motorcycle type and engine size
Engine sizes of motorcycles whose drivers were killed in crashes have gone up dramatically. Among motorcycle drivers killed in 2022, 34% drove motorcycles with engine sizes larger than 1,400 cc, compared with 9% in 2000 and less than 1% in 1990.
Motorcycle driver deaths by motorcycle engine size, 1985-2022 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 1,890 | 47 | 678 | 17 | 1,286 | 32 | 4,041 |
2015 | 2,244 | 47 | 741 | 16 | 1,400 | 30 | 4,732 |
2016 | 2,314 | 46 | 759 | 15 | 1,581 | 32 | 4,998 |
2017 | 2,295 | 46 | 726 | 15 | 1,606 | 33 | 4,941 |
2018 | 2,197 | 47 | 664 | 14 | 1,586 | 34 | 4,724 |
2019 | 2,193 | 46 | 679 | 14 | 1,624 | 34 | 4,763 |
2020 | 2,488 | 47 | 705 | 13 | 1,782 | 34 | 5,307 |
2021 | 2,727 | 47 | 761 | 13 | 1,998 | 34 | 5,832 |
2022 | 2,877 | 48 | 748 | 13 | 2,034 | 34 | 5,935 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Among the motorcycles whose drivers were killed in 2022, 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, 2022 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0-1,000 cc | 1,001-1,400 cc | >1,400 cc | Total * | |||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Cruiser/standard | 505 | 29 | 419 | 24 | 812 | 47 | 1,736 | 100 |
Touring | 7 | 1 | 59 | 5 | 1,182 | 95 | 1,248 | 100 |
Sport-touring | 16 | 22 | 58 | 78 | 0 | 0 | 74 | 100 |
Sport/unclad sport | 660 | 79 | 151 | 18 | 25 | 3 | 836 | 100 |
Supersport | 1,203 | 98 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1,224 | 100 |
Off-road | 98 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 100 |
Other/unknown | 388 | 54 | 40 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 719 | 100 |
Total | 2,877 | 48 | 748 | 13 | 2,034 | 34 | 5,935 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Among fatally injured motorcycle drivers in 2022, 19% of cruiser or standard motorcycle drivers were younger than 30 and only 6% of touring bike drivers were under 30. In contrast, 48% of fatally injured supersport drivers in 2022 were younger than 30.
Fatally injured motorcycle drivers by age and motorcycle type, 2022 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
<30 years | 30-39 years | 40-49 years | 50+ years | Total * | ||||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Cruiser/standard | 328 | 19 | 361 | 21 | 301 | 17 | 745 | 43 | 1,736 | 100 |
Touring | 74 | 6 | 161 | 13 | 237 | 19 | 775 | 62 | 1,248 | 100 |
Sport-touring | 8 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 22 | 44 | 59 | 74 | 100 |
Sport/unclad sport | 377 | 45 | 219 | 26 | 133 | 16 | 107 | 13 | 836 | 100 |
Supersport | 593 | 48 | 381 | 31 | 178 | 15 | 72 | 6 | 1,224 | 100 |
Off-road | 57 | 58 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 98 | 100 |
Other/unknown | 166 | 23 | 135 | 19 | 122 | 17 | 293 | 41 | 719 | 100 |
Total | 1,603 | 27 | 1,283 | 22 | 999 | 17 | 2,045 | 34 | 5,935 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
At 84%, helmet use was highest among fatally injured drivers of supersport motorcycles in 2022, followed closely by sport/unclad sport at 79% and then sport-touring at 74%. 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, 2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helmet | No helmet | Total* | ||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Cruiser/standard | 944 | 54 | 735 | 42 | 1,736 | 100 |
Touring | 606 | 49 | 589 | 47 | 1,248 | 100 |
Sport-touring | 55 | 74 | 17 | 23 | 74 | 100 |
Sport/unclad sport | 660 | 79 | 146 | 17 | 836 | 100 |
Supersport | 1,029 | 84 | 169 | 14 | 1,224 | 100 |
Off-road | 27 | 28 | 68 | 69 | 98 | 100 |
Other | 235 | 58 | 157 | 38 | 408 | 100 |
Unknown | 120 | 39 | 157 | 50 | 311 | 100 |
Total | 3,676 | 62 | 2,038 | 34 | 5,935 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
When and where they died
Sixty percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2022 occurred during May-September. Fatalities peaked in June and were lowest in January.
Motorcyclist deaths by month, 2022 | ||
---|---|---|
Month | Deaths | % |
January | 182 | 3 |
February | 271 | 4 |
March | 413 | 7 |
April | 526 | 8 |
May | 731 | 12 |
June | 777 | 12 |
July | 771 | 12 |
August | 735 | 12 |
September | 716 | 12 |
October | 567 | 9 |
November | 335 | 5 |
December | 198 | 3 |
Total | 6,222 | 100 |
Forty-six percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2022 occurred on weekends, and those deaths were more likely to occur after 6 p.m. compared with weekdays.
Motorcyclist deaths by time of day, 2022 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weekend (6 p.m. Friday - 6 a.m. Monday) | Other times | Total | |||
Number | % | Number | % | ||
Midnight - 3 a.m. | 317 | 10 | 216 | 7 | 533 |
3 a.m. - 6 a.m. | 110 | 3 | 121 | 4 | 231 |
6 a.m. - 9 a.m. | 81 | 3 | 290 | 9 | 371 |
9 a.m. - noon | 202 | 7 | 311 | 10 | 513 |
Noon - 3 p.m. | 405 | 14 | 539 | 16 | 944 |
3 p.m. - 6 p.m. | 498 | 17 | 794 | 23 | 1,292 |
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | 740 | 26 | 626 | 19 | 1,366 |
9 p.m. - midnight | 499 | 17 | 431 | 13 | 930 |
Total* | 2,869 | 100 | 3,353 | 100 | 6,222 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Fifty-six percent of motorcyclist deaths in 2022 occurred on major roads other than interstates and freeways. Deaths were more likely to occur in urban than rural areas (66% vs. 34%).
Motorcyclist deaths by location of crash, 2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Road Type | Urban | Rural | Total* | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Interstates and freeways | 606 | 10 | 125 | 2 | 731 | 12 |
Noninterstate major roads | 2,538 | 41 | 937 | 15 | 3,475 | 56 |
Minor roads | 944 | 15 | 1,042 | 17 | 1,986 | 32 |
Total* | 4,096 | 66 | 2,113 | 34 | 6,222 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Alcohol involvement
Twenty-nine percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers in 2022 had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08%; in single-vehicle crashes this was 42%.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers with high BACs by crash type, 2022 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crash type | Deaths | Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08 | Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15 | ||
Number | Number | % | Number | % | |
Single-vehicle | 2,213 | 936 | 42 | 593 | 27 |
Multiple-vehicle | 3,722 | 769 | 21 | 447 | 12 |
All crashes | 5,935 | 1,705 | 29 | 1,041 | 18 |
Forty-nine percent of motorcycle drivers killed at night (9 p.m. - 6 a.m.) in 2022 had BACs at or above 0.08%.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers with high BACs by time of day, 2022 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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.) | 1,610 | 791 | 49 | 490 | 30 |
Other times | 4,325 | 913 | 21 | 551 | 13 |
Total | 5,935 | 1,705 | 29 | 1,041 | 18 |
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 45% in 2022. The proportion younger than age 20 decreased from 54% in 1982 to 21% in 2022. 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, 1982-2022 | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 67 | 14 | 95 | 20 | 62 | 13 | 76 | 16 | 138 | 29 | 473 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Nine percent of fatally injured ATV riders wore helmets in 2022.
Helmet use among fatally injured ATV riders on public roads, 2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helmet | No helmet | Total* | ||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Driver | 40 | 11 | 294 | 77 | 380 | 100 |
Passenger | 1 | 1 | 80 | 86 | 93 | 100 |
Total* | 41 | 9 | 374 | 79 | 473 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Seventy-three percent of fatally injured ATV riders were killed in crashes involving no other vehicles in 2022, compared with 45% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes and 37% of motorcyclists.
Crash deaths by number of involved vehicles and vehicle type, 2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crash type | ATV riders | Motorcyclists | Passenger vehicle occupants | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Single-vehicle | 345 | 73 | 2,315 | 37 | 11,457 | 45 |
Multiple-vehicle | 128 | 27 | 3,907 | 63 | 14,268 | 55 |
All crashes | 473 | 100 | 6,222 | 100 | 25,725 | 100 |
Among ATV riders killed in single-vehicle crashes in 2022, 75% involved the ATV rolling over during the crash. This was comparable to the percentage for large trucks (65%), but higher than those for passenger vehicles.
Occupant deaths in single-vehicle crashes by rollover, 2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rollover | No rollover | Total | ||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
ATV | 260 | 75 | 85 | 25 | 345 | 100 |
Car | 2,295 | 42 | 3,167 | 58 | 5,462 | 100 |
SUV | 1,789 | 56 | 1,429 | 44 | 3,218 | 100 |
Pickup | 1,433 | 54 | 1,198 | 46 | 2,631 | 100 |
Large trucks | 299 | 65 | 163 | 35 | 462 | 100 |
ATV rider deaths on public roads in 2022 were highest in July. Sixty percent of the deaths in 2022 occurred during May-September.
ATV rider deaths on public roads by month, 2022 | ||
---|---|---|
Deaths | % | |
January | 21 | 4 |
February | 15 | 3 |
March | 25 | 5 |
April | 33 | 7 |
May | 53 | 11 |
June | 54 | 11 |
July | 84 | 18 |
August | 53 | 11 |
September | 40 | 8 |
October | 51 | 11 |
November | 24 | 5 |
December | 20 | 4 |
Total | 473 | 100 |
Seventy-nine percent of ATV riders killed on public roads in 2022 were on rural roads. Of those, 84% were on minor roads.
ATV rider deaths by road type and land use, 2022 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Road type | Urban | Rural | Total* | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Interstates and freeways | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
Noninterstate major roads | 25 | 5 | 34 | 7 | 59 | 12 |
Minor roads | 52 | 11 | 317 | 67 | 369 | 78 |
Total* | 79 | 17 | 376 | 79 | 473 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
In 2022, 44% of fatally injured ATV drivers on public roads had BACs at or above 0.08%. Impairment was highest at 61% 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, 2022 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age | Deaths | Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.08 | Estimated deaths with BACs ≥ 0.15 | ||
Number | Number | % | Number | % | |
<20 | 59 | 10 | 16 | 4 | 7 |
20-29 | 73 | 38 | 52 | 24 | 33 |
30-39 | 53 | 31 | 59 | 20 | 38 |
40-49 | 67 | 41 | 61 | 33 | 49 |
50+ | 127 | 46 | 36 | 33 | 26 |
Total* | 380 | 167 | 44 | 115 | 30 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |