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Published: Sunday, October 7, 2007

TOTALS

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TOTALS

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that the number of motorcycle fatalities nearly doubled nationally between 1998 and 2004 — from 2,227 to 4,008, in part because the number of motorcycles sold has increased so much. There were 214,000 on-road motorcycles sold in 1995, compared with 662,000 in 2003.

Ohio officials became concerned about motorcycle fatalities last summer and launched a statewide motorcycle safety program. That came about after the state recorded 177 motorcycle fatalities in 2005, a 30 percent increase over 2004. The state noted that alcohol or drug impairment was a factor in 45 percent of the crashes, and lack of a helmet was a factor in 73 percent. Ohio does not require riders to wear a helmet.

BY AGE

National statistics show riders between the age of 20 and 29 are victims of motorcycle fatalities more than any other age group. But they are not the only victims.

The 20-to-29-year-old group suffered the highest number of motorcycle fatalities of any 10-year age group between 1995 and 2004 — 1,041, but they have made up a smaller and smaller percentage of the motorcycle fatalities during that stretch. In 1995, they made up 41 percent of all motorcycle deaths. In 2004, they represented just 26 percent.

Riders between the age of 40 and 50 now make up 24 percent of motorcycle fatalities, making a big leap from their former position of 16 percent nine years earlier.

Fatalities among those 50 to 59 increased from 6 percent to 16 percent during that time, and fatalities involving those older than 59 increased from 2.6 percent to 5.7 percent.

Experts say this is because baby boomers — those born between 1945 and 1964 — are in the midst of a motorcycle buying binge. Statistics back that up, because the median age of motorcycle ownership has increased from 32 in 1990 to 41 in 2003. Median age means half of the population is younger and half is older.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

TOTALS

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that the number of motorcycle fatalities nearly doubled nationally between 1998 and 2004 — from 2,227 to 4,008, in part because the number of motorcycles sold has increased so much. There were 214,000 on-road motorcycles sold in 1995, compared with 662,000 in 2003.

Ohio officials became concerned about motorcycle fatalities last summer and launched a statewide motorcycle safety program. That came about after the state recorded 177 motorcycle fatalities in 2005, a 30 percent increase over 2004. The state noted that alcohol or drug impairment was a factor in 45 percent of the crashes, and lack of a helmet was a factor in 73 percent. Ohio does not require riders to wear a helmet.

BY AGE

National statistics show riders between the age of 20 and 29 are victims of motorcycle fatalities more than any other age group. But they are not the only victims.

The 20-to-29-year-old group suffered the highest number of motorcycle fatalities of any 10-year age group between 1995 and 2004 — 1,041, but they have made up a smaller and smaller percentage of the motorcycle fatalities during that stretch. In 1995, they made up 41 percent of all motorcycle deaths. In 2004, they represented just 26 percent.

Riders between the age of 40 and 50 now make up 24 percent of motorcycle fatalities, making a big leap from their former position of 16 percent nine years earlier.

Fatalities among those 50 to 59 increased from 6 percent to 16 percent during that time, and fatalities involving those older than 59 increased from 2.6 percent to 5.7 percent.

Experts say this is because baby boomers — those born between 1945 and 1964 — are in the midst of a motorcycle buying binge. Statistics back that up, because the median age of motorcycle ownership has increased from 32 in 1990 to 41 in 2003. Median age means half of the population is younger and half is older.

Sunday, October 7, 2007
from 2,227 to 4,008, in part because the number of motorcycles sold has increased so much. There were 214,000 on-road...

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