While riding a motorcycle can be risky, motorcycles have the same right to be on Georgia roads as any other vehicle. However, it’s helpful for bikers to understand the statistics about motorcycle accidents in Georgia to help them better exercise caution while out on the open road.
Georgia Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides motorcycle accident statistics by the state each year. These statistics include:
- How many people are killed in motorcycle crashes
- Helmet use
- Alcohol-related crashes
- Which age groups are affected by accidents
- And more
The statistics covered below are based on the NHTSA’s 2016 fact sheet published in 2018. It includes motorcycle accident statistics for all U.S. states, including stats for Georgia.
Motorcycle Crash Statistics for 2016
Here are some basic stats for motorcycle accidents in the United States in 2016:
- There were 5,286 motorcycle riders killed in vehicle accidents. This was a 5.1% increase from 2015.
- Motorcyclists made up 14% of all traffic deaths and 17% of all deaths involving drivers and passengers.
- Out of all bikers killed in accidents, 94% were riders and only six percent were passengers.
Georgia Fatalities and Helmet Use
In Georgia in 2016, the total number of motorcycle riders killed was 167. Of that number, 154 riders (90%) were wearing a helmet. Nine riders (five percent) were unhelmeted and for nine others, it was unknown whether they were wearing a helmet or not.
Helmets Save Lives
The NHTSA believes helmets saved 1,859 motorcycle riders from death in 2016. If all had been wearing helmets during their collision, the organization estimates 802 more lives could have been saved. Helmets are estimated to prevent 37 out of 100 motorcycle accident deaths for riders and 41 out of 100 motorcycle passenger deaths.
Helmet use has continued to be higher in states like Georgia that require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets.
Georgia Motorcycle Accident Deaths and Alcohol Use
Of the total motorcyclists killed in Georgia in 2016:
- 25% had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .01% or more
- 21% had a BAC of .08% or more (the legal limit)
- and 10% had a BAC of .15% or more
Motorcyclists either injured or killed in crashes were more likely to be under the influence of alcohol than any other type of motorist, including car drivers, light trucks, and large truck drivers.
Victims by Age Group
Out of all U.S. states, most motorcyclists impaired by alcohol and killed in an accident fell into the following age groups:
- 35 to 39 years old (38%)
- 45 to 49 years old (37%)
- 40 to 44 years old (32%)
The percentage of alcohol-impaired motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle accidents decreased from 2007 to 2016, going from 41% to 37%.
In 2016, 54% of all motorcycle riders killed in accidents were 40 years old or older. This percentage has increased by 12% from the years 2007 to 2016.
Types of Motorcycle Crashes
In 2016, 55% of all fatal motorcycle crashes involved another motor vehicle:
- Out of all two-vehicle accidents, 72% of the motorcycles were hit in the front.
- Seven percent were impacted in the rear of the motorcycle.
- In 41% of two-vehicle fatal crashes, the other vehicle was turning left as the motorcyclist was either passing, going straight, or overtaking the other driver.
- In 23% of these crashes, both the motorcycle and other vehicles were going straight.
Compared with other vehicle accidents, motorcyclists were more frequently killed in collisions with fixed objects. These collisions made up 23% of all fatal motorcycle accidents in 2016.
Motorcycle Accident Deaths Based on Time of Day
Weekends and nights seem to be the most deadly times for motorcycle accidents across the country.
On weekend nights, 57% of riders killed in single-vehicle accidents were under the influence of alcohol. On any night, motorcyclists killed in accidents were three times more often found to be alcohol-impaired versus accidents in the daytime.
Speeding-Related Motorcycle Accidents
Thirty-three percent of all motorcyclists in fatal accidents in 2016 were found to be speeding. This is much higher than speeding rates for other vehicles, including 19% for passenger cars, 15% for light trucks, and seven percent for large trucks.
According to the NHTSA, an accident is deemed “speeding-related” if an investigating officer determined that driving too fast for safe conditions, racing, or exceeding the speed limit contributed to the collision or if the driver received a speeding-related charge.
Were You Injured in a Georgia Motorcycle Accident?
If you were impacted by a motorcycle accident in Georgia, whether it was you or a loved one who was hurt or killed in an accident, John Foy & Associates can help.
We have been supporting and assisting motorcycle accident victims with their insurance claims for more than two decades. Working with us is risk-free: we don’t get paid unless we win your case. And we’ll start with a FREE consultation to discuss your options. Just call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form on this page today.
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