| In January of 2010, there were 1.3 million | | | | Licensed motorcycle drivers in 2008 increased |
| Californians licensed to operate a motorcycle, with | | | | 45.6% over 1998. In 2008, there were 529 |
| over 800,000 motorcycles and scooters | | | | motorcycle accident victims killed of which 71 did |
| registered for use and operation on California's | | | | not indicate that safety equipment was used and |
| public roads. | | | | there were 11,764 motorcycle accident victims |
| Rising gas prices have converted an increasing | | | | injured of which 1,613 did not indicate that safety |
| number of commuters out of their cars and onto | | | | equipment was used. Motorcyclists killed in |
| motorcycles. An unfortunate consequence of this | | | | collisions increased 12.1% from 2007. Motorcycle |
| is a growing incidence of motorcycle fatalities and | | | | accident victims injured increased 5.0% over that |
| serious accidents. | | | | same year. There were 563 motorcyclists |
| Despite the fact that fewer than 3 percent of | | | | involved in fatal collisions of which 378 were the |
| registered passenger vehicles nationwide are | | | | driver at fault. According to these figures, 67.1% |
| motorcycles, they account for nearly 9 percent | | | | of motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions were at |
| of all passenger vehicle occupant fatalities. | | | | fault. |
| According to recent California Highway Patrol | | | | Of the 563 motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions, |
| accident statistics, an average of 1 traffic collision | | | | 204 (36.2%) were involved in fatal collisions where |
| was reported about every single minute. Of | | | | the motorcycle operator was the sole party |
| these, 1 person was killed about every 2 ½ | | | | involved. Of these, it was the motorcyclist's fault |
| hours as a result of a traffic collision. And, 1 | | | | 91.6% of the time in solo motorcycle fatal |
| person was injured about every 2 minutes as a | | | | collisions. |
| result of a traffic collision. | | | | In 2008, alcohol involved fatal collisions decreased |
| Of these totals, motorcycle collisions numbered | | | | 8.0% and alcohol involved persons killed also |
| 12,350, with 429 deaths, equaling 10 percent of all | | | | decreased 9.0% over the previous year. As a |
| people killed on California public roadways. The | | | | result, 2008 was the second straight year to |
| National Highway Transportation Safety | | | | show a decrease in the number of alcohol related |
| Administration estimates that per vehicle miles | | | | fatal collisions and people killed in these collisions. |
| traveled, motorcyclists are about 35 times more | | | | Motorcycle riding is fun and exhilarating, but these |
| likely than passenger car occupants to die in a | | | | statistics show that it is also serious business. |
| traffic collision. | | | | Experienced riders know that there is no such |
| After an all time low in 1998, beginning in 1999, | | | | thing as a minor fender bender when you are on |
| the number of motorcycle accident victims began | | | | 2 wheels. With all the distractions facing drivers of |
| to increase in California. These growing statistics | | | | 4 wheeled vehicles today, it is even more |
| continue to rise to this day. Motorcyclists killed in | | | | imperative than ever that motorcycle riders pay |
| 2008 increased 164.5% from 1998 and the | | | | attention to the road themselves and take the |
| number of motorcyclists injured in motorcycle | | | | utmost care when riding on public roadways. Have |
| accidents increased 85.8% over that same year. | | | | fun. Ride free, and always ride safe. |