Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Motorcycle Deaths Rise 6.6%

Overall traffic deaths down but motorbike deaths up for 10th year in a row

Share

(Newser) – The number of motorcyclist deaths rose in 2007 for the 10th year in a row, the New York Times reports, jumping 6.6% even as the overall number of vehicle deaths continued to drop. Motorcycle deaths now account for one in eight traffic fatalities, totaling 5,154 last year—a toll safety experts blame on weakened helmet laws, as well as increased ridership as people seek to save on gas.

“We are the only industrialized country in the world where there is an organized effort to weaken or repeal motorcycle helmet laws,” says one expert. “That definitely is a factor in the increasing deaths.” Said a motorcycle industry spokesman: “There’s risks in everything in life, but the risks can be addressed.”

Road safety experts say some of the rise in motorcycle deaths may be down to older riders hitting the road after many years and forgetting their reflexes have slowed.
Road safety experts say some of the rise in motorcycle deaths may be down to older riders hitting the road after many years and forgetting their reflexes have slowed.   (KRT Photos)
Motorcycle ownership is soaring as high gas prices lead car and truck drivers to turn to biking.
Motorcycle ownership is soaring as high gas prices lead car and truck drivers to turn to biking.   (AP Photo/Piaggio)
Deaths in motorcycle accidents rose 6% in 2007 to the highest level since the government started tracking the numbers in 1975.
Deaths in motorcycle accidents rose 6% in 2007 to the highest level since the government started tracking the numbers in 1975.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

14 Stories

(Newser) - A horrifying car crash video graphically highlighting the gory dangers of texting behind the wheel has been viewed some 4 million times online. But experts doubt that it will significantly change teen driver behavior, reports the New York Times. The video-gone-viral has been the buzz of schools since it... More »

MORE ABOUT:
YouTube • video • car crash • accident • driving • viral video • texting • teenage drivers • teenager • reckless driving • viral marketing

Texting Boosts Driver
Crash Risk 23 Times

Texting while driving found to be
deadliest distraction 

Jul 28, 09 1:49 AM CDT
(Newser) - A first-of-its-kind study has found that sending and receiving text messages is the deadliest distraction for drivers by far, the New York Times reports. The study, which involved cameras in the cabs of long-haul trucks, found that texting raised a driver's risk of collision a whopping 23 times, putting it... More »

MORE ABOUT:
cell phones • text message • texting • road safety • drivers • driver distraction

(Newser) - In 2003 a federal agency compiled hundreds of pages of research on the dangers of using cell phones while driving, but suppressed the findings because of pressure from Congress. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a part of the Transportation Department, also planned a long-term study of the risks of... More »

MORE ABOUT:
cell phones • highway safety • Freedom of Information Act • driving • car safety • consumer advocacy • Department of Transportation • driver distraction

14 Stories


Traffic deaths down 4.9%
Reuters

Road deaths at a 14-year low
Los Angeles Times

Safety group calls for crash study
MarketWatch


US 
TwitterFollow @NewserUS on Twitter

 
highway safety • accident • driving • motorcycle crash • road safety • traffic accident • drivers • traffic fatalities

from our news partners