DOT HS 810 834 September 2007

Fatal Two-Vehicle 

Motorcycle 

Crashes
 

This publication is distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration, in the interest of information exchange. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department 

of Transportation or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. If trade or manufacturers’ names are mentioned, it is only because they are considered essential to the object of the publication and should not 

be construed as an endorsement. The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. 
NHSTA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 i

Technical Report Documentation Page 

1. Report No. 

DOT HS 810 834

2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. 

5. Report Date 

September 2007 

4. Title and Subtitle 

Fatal Two-Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes 

6. Performing Organization Code 

NPO - 121 

7. Author(s) 

Anders Longthorne,1 Cherian Varghese,2 and Umesh Shankar3

8. Performing Organization Report No. 

9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) 

Mathematical Analysis Division, Office of Traffic Records and Analysis 

National Center for Statistics and Analysis 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

NPO-121,1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. 

Washington, DC 20590 

11. Contract or Grant No. 

13. Type of Report and Period Covered 

NHTSA Technical Report 

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 

Mathematical Analysis Division, Office of Traffic Records and Analysis 

National Center for Statistics and Analysis 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

NPO-121,1200 New Jersey Avenue SE. 

Washington, DC 20590 14. Sponsoring Agency Code 

15. Supplementary Notes 

1 Mathematical Statistician, Data Reporting Branch, Mathematical Analysis Division, Office of Traffic 

Records and Analysis, National Center for Statistics and Analysis 

2 Programmer Analyst (contractor) for the Mathematical Analysis Division of the National Center for 

Statistics and Analysis. 

3

Team Leader, Data Reporting Branch, Mathematical Analysis Division, Office of Traffic Records 

and Analysis, National Center for Statistics and Analysis 

16. Abstract

In 2005 there were 4,553 motorcycle rider fatalities, of which 2,021 (44%) were from single-vehicle 

crashes and 2,532 (56%) were from multivehicle motorcycle crashes. Of the 2,532 fatalities from multivehicle motorcycle crashes, 2,260 (89%) were from two-vehicle motorcycle crashes. More than 85 

percent of the 2,260 motorcycle riders killed in two-vehicle crashes were in crashes involving passenger vehicles. Among the fatalities in two-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles, 98 percent of the fatalities were motorcycle riders and only 2 percent of the fatalities were passenger vehicle occupants. With such a high proportion of motorcycle rider fatalities in two-vehicle 

motorcycle crashes, this report was written to provide insight into the possible factors in these crashes. 

The analysis is based on 2001-2005 data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). 

17. Key Words 

motorcycle, motorcycle rider, fatalities, fatal 

crashes, passenger vehicles, related factors, age 

group, land use, alcohol, speeding. 

 

18. Distribution Statement 

Document is available to the public through 

the National Technical Information Service, 

Springfield, VA 22161 

www.ntis.gov

19. Security Classification (of this report) 

Unclassified

20. Security Classification (of this page) 

Unclassified

21. No. of Pages 

25

22. Price 

Form DOT F1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................. 1

1.1 PURPOSE ......................................................................................................................... 1 

1.2 METHODOLOGY.............................................................................................................. 1 

1.3 FINDINGS......................................................................................................................... 2 

2. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 4

3. ANALYTICAL APPROACH.............................................................................................. 5

3.1 TRENDS ........................................................................................................................... 5 

3.2 CRASH CHARACTERISTICS........................................................................................... 13 

4. FINDINGS........................................................................................................................... 27

5. REFERENCES.................................................................................................................... 29
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 1

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2005 there were 4,553 motorcycle rider fatalities, of which 2,021 (44%) were from 

single-vehicle crashes and 2,532 (56%) were from multivehicle motorcycle crashes. Twovehicle crashes accounted for the vast majority of fatalities from multivehicle motorcycle 

crashes (2,260 or 89%). An overwhelming majority of motorcycle riders killed in twovehicle crashes (more than 85%) were in crashes involving passenger vehicles. Among 

the fatalities in two-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles, 98 

percent of the fatalities were motorcycle riders and only 2 percent of fatalities were passenger vehicle occupants. With such a high proportion of motorcycle rider fatalities in 

two-vehicle motorcycle crashes, this report was written to provide an understanding of 

the factors in these two-vehicle crashes. 

Nearly 62,000 motorcycle riders died in multivehicle motorcycle crashes between 1975 

and 2005. Of these, 56,000 were killed in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes. Motorcycle 

rider fatalities in two-vehicle crashes reached a peak of 2,740 in 1980 and a low of 1,063 

in 1997. However, between 1997 and 2005 motorcycle rider fatalities in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes increased to 2,260, an increase of 113 percent. Similar increasing trend 

between 1997 and 2005 has also been observed among motorcycle rider fatalities in single-vehicle crashes (116%). The increase in the number of fatal motorcycle crashes between 1997 and 2005 to some extent can be attributed to the increased exposure in number of registered motorcycles and vehicle miles traveled (VMT). 

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this report is to: 

• Analyze fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes for trends and crash characteristics 

using FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) data; 

• Identify possible factors relating to the drivers/operators in these crashes. 

1.2 Methodology

The analytical approach involved several steps. First, a review of the data source was 

conducted to determine the crash data elements relevant to these fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes within FARS. The data elements were then analyzed for identifying possible factors within the crash and for identifying the role of the vehicles and driver/operator 

actions at the time of the crash. Data trends in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes for the past 

five years (2001-2005) were analyzed. Since the focus is to understand the factors in 

these two-vehicle motorcycle crashes in which the motorcycle operator was killed, data 

from the most recent year (2005) was analyzed for crash characteristics, vehicle, and 

driver/operator role. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 2

1.3 Findings

Findings from the analysis of FARS data provide possible reasons and understanding behind the two-vehicle motorcycle crashes and could aid in the design of crash prevention 

programs. Findings in this section are divided into two categories: (1) findings from fiveyear two-vehicle motorcycle crash trend data and (2) findings based on characteristics of 

two-vehicle motorcycle crashes from the most recent year (2005): 

(1) Findings based on two-vehicle motorcycle crash trend (2001-2005) data: 

• Among fatal motorcycle crashes, nearly 55 percent of the crashes were multivehicle 

crashes -- crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle (one or more). 

• Of the motorcycle rider fatalities from multivehicle crashes about 90 percent were 

from two-vehicle crashes, involving a motorcycle and another vehicle. 

• An overwhelming majority (more than 85%) of the motorcycle riders killed in twovehicle crashes were crashes involving passenger vehicles. 

• Among the fatalities in two-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles and passenger 

vehicles, 90 percent were operators of motorcycles, 8 percent were the passengers 

of motorcycles and the remaining 2 percent were occupants of passenger vehicles. 

(2) Findings based on characteristics of two-vehicle motorcycle crashes in which the motorcycle operator was killed from 2005: 

• In nearly three-fourths of these crashes, the role of the motorcycle was recorded as 

the striking vehicle. 

• Alcohol involvement among motorcycle operators killed was almost 2.5 times the 

alcohol involvement of the passenger vehicle drivers involved in these crashes. 

• Nearly one-fourth (24%) of the motorcycle operators killed in two-vehicle crashes 

involving passenger vehicles, had an invalid license at the time of the crash compared to 8 percent of the passenger vehicle drivers. 

• Of the motorcycle operators who were killed in these crashes, 27 percent were 

speeding at the time of the crash compared to 4 percent of the passenger vehicle 

drivers. 

• Of the front-to-side crashes involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles, where 

one vehicle collided with the other at right angles, in 78 percent of the crashes the 

role of the motorcycle was recorded as the striking vehicle. 

• In 55 percent of the head-on two-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles, the role of the motorcycle was recorded as the striking vehicle. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 3

• In 68 percent of the rear-end crashes involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles, 

the role of the motorcycle was recorded as the striking vehicle. 

• Of the motorcycle operators killed in two-vehicle crashes involving passenger vehicles, 49 percent had a previous driving violation recorded on their license at the 

time of the crash. 

• For the passenger vehicle drivers involved in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes, 35 

percent of the driver-related factor was failure to yield right-of-way compared to 

only 4 percent for motorcycle operators. 

• There were 1.5 times as many two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger 

vehicles in 2005 during weekends than during weekdays. 

• More than 90 percent of the two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger 

vehicles occurred on non-interstate roadways (in both urban and rural areas). 

• Of the two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger vehicles, nearly 6 out of 

10 occurred on urban roadways. 

• More than 70 percent of these crashes occurred from May to October, which correlates to the peak motorcycle riding season. 

• In 13 percent of the two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger vehicles, 

braking was reported as a crash avoidance maneuver by the motorcycle operators. 

• Twenty-eight percent of the motorcycle operators killed in two-vehicle motorcycle 

crashes involving passenger vehicles were in the 20 to 29 age group, followed by 21 

percent for the 40 to 49 age group and 20 percent for the 30 to 39 age group. 

• Of the motorcycle operators killed in these crashes, 97 percent were males and 3 

percent were females. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 4

2. INTRODUCTION

In 2005, motorcycles made up 2.5 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States 

and accounted for only 0.4 percent of all vehicle miles traveled (VMT). However, in the 

same year, motorcyclists accounted for 10.5 percent of total traffic fatalities. Per 100,000 

registered vehicles, the fatality rate for motorcyclists (73.12) in 2005 was 5.4 times the 

fatality rate for passenger car occupants (13.64). Per vehicle mile traveled in 2005, motorcyclists (42.27) were about 37 times as likely as passenger car occupants (1.14) to die 

in motor vehicle traffic crashes. 

Nearly 62,000 motorcycle riders died in multivehicle motorcycle crashes between 1975 

and 2005. Of these, 56,000 (90%) motorcycle riders died in two-vehicle crashes. Only 

two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle were chosen 

for analysis since it is easier to understand the role/interaction of the vehicles and the 

drivers in these crashes. This report focuses on vehicle and driver interaction factors in 

fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes from 2001-2005 in order to understand possible 

causes for these crashes. 

The purpose of this report is to: 

• Examine motorcycle rider fatality data from NHTSA’s FARS databases; 

• Analyze two-vehicle motorcycle crash data within specific areas by looking for 

possible causes; and, 

• Identify areas that may explain the possible vehicle and driver factors in fatal twovehicle motorcycle crashes. 

The following sections describe the data elements used in the analysis; analyze five-year 

(2001-2005) trend data in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes; delve more into the most current data (2005) for characteristics and role of the motorcycle operator, and the other 

driver in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes; highlight the findings; and summarize the implications for crash prevention programs. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 5

3. ANALYTICAL APPROACH

The analytical approach for the report involved the following steps: 

• Reviewing FARS data to determine the data elements of interest in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes and how these data elements could be combined; 

• Formulating hypotheses about possible factors in fatal two-vehicle motorcycle 

crashes; 

• Summarizing data that focuses on possible causes for motorcycle rider fatalities in 

two-vehicle motorcycle crashes; 

• Analyzing data trends in the past five years (2001-2005) in two-vehicle motorcycle 

crashes; and 

• In-depth analysis of two-vehicle motorcycle crash characteristics using the most recent 2005 data. 

3.1 Trends 

The focus of this report is to identify possible causes and the driver/operator interactions 

in fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes. To better understand fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes, we need to look at data trends of these crashes and data variables that can explain the role of the vehicles involved and the people involved in these crashes. This section looks at five-year trend data pertaining to two-vehicle motorcycle crashes. 

3.1.1 Fatal Motorcycle Crashes by Crash Type 

Among the fatal motorcycle crashes from 2001-2005, an average 46 percent of the 

crashes were single-vehicle crashes and the remaining 54 percent multivehicle crashes. 

Of the 54 percent multivehicle crashes, 48 percent of the crashes were two-vehicle motorcycle crashes and 6 percent were crashes involving three or more vehicles. In the past 

five years (2001-2005), single-vehicle motorcycle crashes have increased by 38 percent 

from 1,460 crashes in 2001 to 2,015 crashes in 2005, two-vehicle motorcycle crashes 

have increased by 49 percent from 1,479 crashes in 2001 to 2,207 crashes in 2005 and 

crashes involving three or more vehicles has increased by 28 percent from 208 crashes in 

2001 to 267 crashes in 2005. However, the proportion of single-vehicle, two-vehicle, and 

three-or-more vehicle motorcycle crashes during this time period has remained steady. 

The increase in motorcycle crashes in recent years can be attributed to some extent to the 

increased exposure. Table 1 shows the number and percent of fatal motorcycle crashes by 

year and type of crash. The data shows that among multivehicle crashes a majority are 

two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 6

Table 1 

Fatal Motorcycle Crashes by Year and Type of Crash 

Crash Type 

Multivehicle Crash 

SingleVehicle Crash Two Vehicles Three or 

More Vehicles 

Total 

Year 

# % # % # % 

Total 

# % 

2001 1,460 46 1,479 47 208 7 1,687 3,147 100 

2002 1,535 48 1,481 46 208 6 1,689 3,224 100 

2003 1,608 44 1,771 49 242 7 2,013 3,621 100 

2004 1,802 46 1,886 48 261 7 2,147 3,949 100 

2005 2,015 45 2,207 49 267 6 2,474 4,489 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2001-2004 (Final), 2005 (ARF) 

3.1.2 Fatalities in Motorcycle Crashes by Crash Type 

A review of motorcycle rider fatalities from 2001-2005 shows that, the proportions of fatalities from single-vehicle and multivehicle crashes has remained almost the same. In all 

the years majority of motorcycle rider fatalities have been in two-vehicle crashes, with 

the exception of 2002. Of the 2,532 motorcycle rider fatalities in 2005 from multivehicle 

crashes, 2,260 (about 90 percent) were from two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle 

and another vehicle. Table 2 shows the number and percent of motorcycle rider fatalities 

by year and type of crash. Chart 1 shows the motorcycle rider fatality trend in the past 5 

years by type of crash. 

Table 2 

Motorcycle Rider Fatalities by Year and Type of Crash 

Crash Type 

Single- Multivehicle Crash

Vehicle 

Crash Two Vehicles Three or More 

Vehicles 

Total 

Year 

# % # % # % 

Sub 

Total 

# % 

2001 1,469 46 1,517 47 211 7 1,728 3,197 100 

2002 1,540 47 1,514 46 216 7 1,730 3,270 100 

2003 1,629 44 1,833 49 252 7 2,085 3,714 100 

2004 1,814 45 1,945 48 269 7 2,214 4,028 100 

2005 2,021 44 2,260 50 272 6 2,532 4,553 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2001-2004 (Final), 2005 (ARF) 

 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 7

Chart 1: Motorcycle Rider Fatalities by Year and Type of Crash

0

400

800

1,200

1,600

2,000

2,400

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Single-vehicle Crash Two-Vehicle Crashes Three or More Vehicle Crashes

3.1.3 Motorcycle Rider Fatalities in Two-Vehicle Crashes by Vehicle Type 

Among the motorcycle rider fatalities in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes, an overwhelming majority (more than 85%) were in crashes involving passenger vehicles (passenger 

cars and light trucks). Table 3 shows the number and percent of motorcycle rider fatalities in two-vehicle crashes by year and vehicle type of the other vehicle involved in the 

crash. The proportion of motorcycle rider fatalities involving passenger vehicles in twovehicle motorcycle crashes has remained almost the same in the last 5 years (2001-2005). 

Further analyses of data in the report will focus on two-vehicle fatal motorcycle crashes 

where one vehicle was a motorcycle and the other vehicle was a passenger vehicle. 

NHTSA defines passenger vehicles as comprising passenger cars and light trucks, with 

the light trucks consisting of pickups, sport utility vehicles and vans. Chart 2 shows 5-

year trend data of motorcycle rider fatalities in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes by vehicle 

type. 

Chart 5 shows the breakdown of motorcycle crashes and motorcycle rider fatalities in 

2005, by the type of crash (single-vehicle/multivehicle). The flowchart categorizes 

crashes and fatalities starting with the overall numbers and splits it further, by the types 

of vehicles involved in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 8

Table 3 

Motorcycle Rider Fatalities in Two-Vehicle Crashes by Year and 

Second Vehicle Type

Passenger 

Vehicles 

Large 

Truck Bus Other Motorcycle 

Other/ 

Year Unknown 

# % # % # % # % # % 

Total 

2001 1,340 88 90 6 6 0 45 3 36 2 1,517 

2002 1,321 87 115 8 3 0 52 3 23 2 1,514 

2003 1,583 86 130 7 13 1 76 4 31 2 1,833 

2004 1,653 85 159 8 13 1 86 4 34 2 1,945 

2005 1,935 86 166 7 18 1 88 4 53 2 2,260 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2001-2004 (Final), 2005 (ARF) 

Chart 2: Motorcycle Rider Fatalities in Two-vehicle Crashes by Vehicle Type

0

20

40

60

80

100

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Passenger Vehicles Large Trucks Bus Other Motorcycle Other/Unknown

3.1.4 Motorcycle Rider Fatalities in Two-Vehicle Crashes by Passenger Vehicle Type 

The number and percent of passenger vehicles involved in two-vehicle crashes with a 

motorcycle, by the type of passenger vehicle and year is shown in Table 4. About 50 percent of the motorcycle rider fatalities in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involved passenger cars, followed by about 25 percent involving pickup trucks and about 25 percent involving vans and SUVs. The percentage of motorcycle rider fatalities involving passenger cars has decreased from 51 percent in 2001 to 46 percent in 2005, the percentage of 

motorcycle rider fatalities involving pickup trucks and vans has remained almost the 

same; however, the percentage of motorcycle rider fatalities involving SUVs has increased by 7 percentage points from 13 percent in 2001 to 20 percent in 2005. This could 

be due to the increase in SUV registrations in the past years. SUV registrations have in-
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 9

creased by 51 percent from 2001-2005. Chart 3 shows 5-year trend of motorcycle rider 

fatalities in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes by passenger vehicle type. 

Table 4 

Motorcycle Rider Fatalities in Two-Vehicle Crashes by Year and Second Vehicle 

Type Where the Second Vehicle Was a Passenger Vehicle 

Passenger 

Cars Pickups SUVs Vans Other Light 

Year Trucks 

# % # % # % # % # % 

Total 

2001 689 51 324 24 176 13 146 11 5 0 1,340 

2002 671 51 322 24 208 16 117 9 3 0 1,321 

2003 772 49 424 27 220 14 159 10 8 1 1,583 

2004 755 46 459 28 262 16 172 10 5 0 1,653 

2005 897 46 478 25 389 20 163 8 8 0 1,935 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2001-2004 (Final), 2005 (ARF) 

Chart 3: Motorcycle Rider Fatalities in Two-vehicle Crashes by

 Passenger Vehicle Type

0

20

40

60

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Passenger Cars Pickups SUVs Vans Other Light Trucks

3.1.5 Fatalities in Crashes Between a Motorcycle and a Passenger Vehicle by Person Type 

Data for the past five years show that among the fatalities in two-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles, 98 percent of the fatalities were motorcycle riders and only 2 percent of the fatalities were passenger vehicle occupants. Of the motorcycle rider fatalities in these crashes more than 90 percent were the motorcycle operators 

and nearly 10 percent were passengers. Table 5 shows motorcycle riders and passenger 

vehicle occupants killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger 

vehicle by year and person type. Chart 4 shows proportion of fatalities by person type, in 

two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger vehicles for five years combined 

(2001-2005). 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 10

Table 5 

Motorcycle Rider and Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatalities in 

Two-Vehicle Crashes Involving a Motorcycle and a Passenger Vehicle, 

 by Year and Person Type

Motorcycle Rider Fatalities Passenger Vehicle Occupant 

Year Fatalities 

Operators Passengers Total Drivers Passengers Total 

Total Occupant 

Fatalities

2001 1,224 116 1,340 18 8 26 1,366 

2002 1,219 102 1,321 12 10 22 1,343 

2003 1,447 136 1,583 14 10 24 1,607 

2004 1,515 138 1,653 13 11 24 1,677 

2005 1,792 143 1,935 17 11 28 1,963 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2001-2004 (Final), 2005 (ARF) 

Chart 4: Fatalities In Two-vehicle Crashes Involving Motorcycles and Passenger 

Vehicles by Person Type, 2001-2005 

90.5%

8.0%

0.9%

0.6%

Motorcycle Operator Motorcycle Passenger

Driver of Passenger Vehicle Passenger of Passenger Vehicle

3.1.6 Fatalities in Crashes Between a Motorcycle and a Passenger Vehicle When a Motorcycle Operator Was Killed in the Crash, by Year and Person Type 

When the motorcycle operator was killed in a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle 

and a passenger vehicle, only 5 percent of the fatalities were others and 95 percent were 

the motorcycle operators. Of these other fatalities (motorcycle passengers, passenger vehicle occupants), only about 1 percent were occupants of the passenger vehicle involved 

in the crash and the remaining nearly 4 percent were the passengers of the motorcycle. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 11

Table 6 shows fatalities in two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger 

vehicle by year and person type, when the motorcycle operator was killed in the crash. 

Table 6 

Fatalities in Two-Vehicle Crashes Involving a Motorcycle and a Passenger Vehicle, 

When a Motorcycle Operator Was 

Killed in the Crash, by Year and Person Type

Motorcycle Rider Fatalities Passenger Vehicle Occupant 

Year Fatalities 

Operators Passengers Total Drivers Passengers Total 

Total 

Occupant 

Fatalities 

2001 1,224 49 1,273 8 5 13 1,286 

2002 1,219 41 1,260 6 5 11 1,271 

2003 1,447 57 1,504 12 9 21 1,525 

2004 1,515 55 1,570 11 8 19 1,589 

2005 1,792 57 1,849 11 4 15 1,864 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2001-2004 (Final), 2005 (ARF) 
 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 12

2005

Motorcycle Crashes – 4,489

Motorcycle Rider Fatalities – 4,553

Single-vehicle 

Crashes – 2,015 

Fatalities – 2,021 

Multivehicle 

Crashes – 2,474 

Fatalities – 2,532 

Passenger Vehicles 

Crashes – 1,891 

Fatalities – 1,935 

Large Trucks 

Crashes – 165 

Fatalities – 166 

Other Motorcycles 

Crashes – 79 

Fatalities – 88 

Two Vehicles 

Crashes – 2,207 

Fatalities – 2,260 

Three 

C

F

Buses 

Crashes – 18 

Fatalities – 18 

Other/Un

Cr

Fat

Passenger Cars 

Crashes – 886 

Fatalities – 897 

Pickup Trucks 

Crashes – 457 

Fatalities – 478 

Vans 

Crashes – 159 

Fatalities – 163 

SUVs 

Crashes – 381 

Fatalities – 389 

Other Light Tru

Crashes – 8 

Fatalities – 8 

Chart 5: Breakdown of Motorcycle Crashes and Motorcycle Rider Fatalities* in 2005 by Crash Type and Vehi

*Fatalities shown throughout this chart are only motorcycle rider fatalities. Source: N
 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 13

3.2 Crash Characteristics

Review of FARS data indicates further in-depth analysis is required using relevant data 

elements to identify possible causes in fatal two vehicle motorcycle crashes involving a 

passenger vehicle. Motorcycle rider fatality trend data (DOT HS 810 606 ‘Recent Trends 

in Motorcycle Crashes – An Update’) show that among motorcycle riders killed in motorcycle crashes, 90 percent of those killed were motorcycle operators. Also, data from 

the previous section indicate that among fatalities in two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, 90 percent of the people killed were motorcycle operators. Our focus in this section is to find the factors in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes that 

may better explain the circumstances in which the crash occurred, interaction between the 

two vehicles, role of the vehicles involved, role of the motorcycle operator and passenger 

vehicle driver in the crash, and other crash characteristics. Hence, two-vehicle motorcycle 

crashes from the most recent year (2005) were considered for further analysis. There 

were 1,891 two-vehicle fatal crashes involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles in 

2005 (Chart 5) in which 1,935 people were killed. Of these crashes 1,792 had a motorcycle operator fatality and the remaining (99) had either a motorcycle passenger fatality or a 

passenger vehicle occupant fatality. The analysis in this following section is based on 

data from two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle in 2005 in 

which a motorcycle operator was killed. 

3.2.1 Day of the Week and Time of Day When the Crashes Occurred 

Among the two-vehicle crashes in 2005 involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, 

a higher percentage occurred during daytime than during nighttime, 1,027 (57%) compared to 764 (43%). Of the 1,027 crashes that occurred during daytime, 438 (43%) were 

on Saturday and Sunday, and of the 764 crashes which occurred during night time, 418 

(55%) were on Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday night. The definition for daytime/nighttime is shown below. Based on the definition, daytime for any day of the week 

would be from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. and nighttime would be from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. and extending into the early hours (5:59 a.m.) of the next day. For example Sunday nighttime 

would be from 6 p.m. Sunday to 5:59 a.m. on Monday. Table 7 shows two-vehicle 

crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle by time of the day and the day of 

the week the crash occurred. The highest number of crashes during any one day was on 

Saturday, both day and night. 

Daytime: 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. 

Nighttime: 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 14

Table 7 

Two-Vehicle Crashes Involving a Motorcycle and a Passenger Vehicle, 

By Day of the Week and Time of Day 

Time of Day 

Daytime Nighttime Unknown Day of the Total 

Week 

# % # % # % # % 

Sunday 201 11 127 7 1 0 329 18 

Monday 115 6 90 5 0 0 205 11 

Tuesday 121 7 81 5 0 0 202 11 

Wednesday 109 6 85 5 0 0 194 11 

Thursday 103 6 90 5 0 0 193 11 

Friday 141 8 132 7 0 0 273 15 

Saturday 237 13 159 9 0 0 396 22 

Total 1,027 57 764 43 1 0 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF)

3.2.2 Time of Day and Day of the Week When the Crashes Occurred 

In 2005, of the 1,792 two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, 938 (52%) occurred during weekdays and 854 (48%) occurred during weekends. 

 The following are the definitions used for weekdays and weekends: 

 Weekday: 6 a.m. Monday through 5:59 p.m. Friday. 

Weekend: 6 p.m. Friday through 5:59 a.m. Monday. 

Based on the definition above, the number of hours during a weekend is 60 (21⁄2 days) and 

during weekdays is 108 (41⁄2 days). The total number of weekend days during a year is 

130 (52 weeks x 21⁄2 days) and the total number of weekdays during a year is 234 (52 

weeks x 41⁄2 days). Based on the number of hours (when normalized for hours) during 

weekdays and weekends, there were 1.6 times as many crashes during weekend compared to weekdays. Based on the daytime/nighttime definition from section 3.2.1, daytime for weekdays would be 6 a.m. thru 5:59 p.m. and nighttime for weekdays would be 

from 6 p.m. thru 5:59 a.m. Monday-Friday. For weekends, daytime would be from 6 

a.m. thru 5:59 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and nighttime would be from 6 p.m. thru 5:59 

a.m. (next day) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Table 8 shows two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle in 2005 by time of day and day of week. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 15

Table 8 

Two-Vehicle Crashes Involving a Motorcycle and a Passenger Vehicle 

By Time of Day and Day of Week 

Day of Week 

Time of Day Weekday Weekend Total 

# % # % # % 

Daytime 589 33 438 24 1,027 57 

Nighttime 349 19 415 23 764 43 

Unknown 0 0 1 0 1 0 

Total 938 52 854 48 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 

3.2.3 Month When the Crash Occurred 

Among the 1,792 two-vehicle crashes in 2005 involving a motorcycle and a passenger 

vehicle, a higher proportion (71%) of crashes occurred during the months from May to 

October (corresponds to prime riding months in all States) and the remaining 29 percent 

were during the months from November to April (normally riding months in some southern states). In all the months February had the lowest number of such crashes and July 

had the highest. Table 9 shows number and percentage of two-vehicle crashes between a 

motorcycle and a passenger vehicle by month. 

Table 9 

Two-Vehicle Crashes Involving a Motorcycle and a 

Passenger Vehicle by Month 

2005 Month 

# % 

January 59 3 

February 44 2 

March 90 5 

April 155 9 

May 171 10 

June 215 12 

July 231 13 

August 211 12 

September 220 12 

October 214 12 

November 118 7 

December 64 4 

Total 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 16

3.2.4 Type of Roadway and Relation to Junction Where the Crash Occurred 

Of the 1,792 two-vehicle crashes in 2005, involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, an overwhelming proportion (1,639 or 91%) were on non-interstate roadways. Of 

these 1,639 non-interstate crashes, 841 (51%) were intersection crashes and 797 (49%) 

were non-intersection crashes. Overall, among the 1,792 crashes 888 (50%) were intersection crashes and 903 (50%) were non-intersection crashes. Table 10 shows twovehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle by type of roadway and 

relation to junction. The type of roadways that define interstate and non-interstate are 

shown below. 

Interstate: Principal arterial-interstate, rural principal arterial-interstate, urban principal 

arterial-interstate. 

Non-Interstate: Rural principal arterial - other, Rural minor arterial, Rural major arterial, 

Rural major collector, Rural minor collector, Rural local road or street, Urban principal 

arterial - other freeways or expressways, Urban minor arterial, Urban collector, Urban local road or street. 

Table 10 

Two-Vehicle Crashes Involving a Motorcycle and a Passenger Vehicle 

By Type of Roadway and Relation to Junction 

Relationship to Junction 

Intersection Non-Intersection Unknown 

Total Type of Roadway 

# % # % # % # % 

Interstate 8 0 70 4 0 0 78 4 

Non-Interstate 841 47 797 44 1 0 1,639 91 

Unknown 39 2 36 2 0 0 75 4 

Total 888 50 903 50 1 0 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 

3.2.5 Land Use (Rural/Urban) Where the Crash Occurred 

Of the 1,792 two-vehicle crashes in 2005 involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, 

723 (40%) occurred on rural roadways and 1,002 (56%) occurred on urban roadways. 

This indicates that nearly 6 out of every 10 two-vehicle crashes between a motorcycle 

and a passenger vehicle occur on urban roadways. Table 11 shows the number and proportion of two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle by land 

use. The definition of rural/urban roadways in FARS data are based on Census data and 

adopted by the Federal Highway Administration. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 17

Table 11 

Two-Vehicle Crashes Involving a Motorcycle and a 

Passenger Vehicle by Land Use 

Fatal Crashes 

Land Use 

# % 

Rural 723 40 

Urban 1,002 56 

Unknown 67 4 

Total 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 

3.2.6 Vehicle Role When the Crash Occurred 

In two-vehicle crashes between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle in 2005, in 1,334 

(74%) of the crashes the motorcycle was recorded as the striking vehicle, compared to 

470 (26%) of crashes where the passenger vehicle was recorded as the striking vehicle. 

This indicates that of the two-vehicle crash between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, nearly three-fourths of the time the motorcycle is the striking vehicle. Table 12 shows 

role of the motorcycle and the passenger vehicle in the crash. 

Note: “Striking” in the above paragraph does not imply fault but only describes the relationship of the vehicles in the crash as recorded by police. 

Table 12 

Two-Vehicle Crashes Involving a Motorcycle and a Passenger Vehicle 

By Vehicle Role 

Other Vehicle Role 

NonCollision Striking Struck Both Unknown Motorcycle Total 

Role 

# % # % # % # % # % # % 

Non-Collision 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 

Striking 1 0 45 3 1,275 71 13 1 0 0 1,334 74 

Struck 1 0 412 23 16 1 0 0 0 0 429 24 

Both 0 0 12 1 4 0 6 0 0 0 22 1 

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 0 

Total 3 0 470 26 1,295 72 20 1 4 0 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 18

3.2.7 Crash Avoidance Maneuver at the Time When the Crash Occurred 

In more than one-third (37%) of the crashes neither the passenger vehicle driver nor the 

motorcycle operator took any action (no maneuver) in the crash. Overall, motorcycle operators took some kind of crash avoidance maneuver more often than the other driver – 

56 percent versus 42 percent. In 24 percent of the crashes there was some type of a crash 

avoidance maneuver by the motorcycle operator and in 13 percent of the crashes there 

was some type of a crash avoidance maneuver by the driver of the passenger vehicle. 

Braking as a crash avoidance maneuver by the motorcycle operator was reported in 299 

(17%) of the crashes compared to 77 (4%) by the driver of the passenger vehicle. Steering as a crash avoidance maneuver by the driver of the passenger vehicle was reported in 

135 (8%) of the crashes compared to 111 (6%) by the motorcycle operator. Table 13 

shows crash avoidance maneuver by the motorcycle operator and the driver of the passenger vehicle. 

Table 13 

Two-Vehicle Crashes Involving a Motorcycle and a Passenger Vehicle 

By Crash Avoidance Maneuver 

Passenger Vehicle Driver Crash Avoidance Maneuver 

No Maneuver Braking Steering Other 

Not Reported/ Unknown 

Total 

Motorcycle 

Operator 

Crash 

Avoidance 

Maneuver # % # % # % # % # % # % 

No Maneuver 657 37 35 2 59 3 2 0 27 2 780 44 

Braking 182 10 21 1 20 1 6 0 70 4 299 17 

Steering 64 4 10 1 16 1 2 0 19 1 111 6 

Other 12 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 4 0 18 1 

Not Reported/ 

Unknown 116 6 11 1 39 2 4 0 414 23 584 33 

Total 1,031 58 77 4 135 8 15 1 534 30 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 

3.2.8 Age of the Motorcycle Operator and Driver of the Passenger Vehicle 

In 2005, among the 1,792 motorcycle operator fatalities in two-vehicle crashes involving 

a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, 501 (28%) were in the age group of 20 to 29. 

Among the drivers of the passenger vehicles involved, 373 (21%) were in the 20-to-29 

age group. Table 14 shows age groups of the motorcycle operator killed and passenger 

vehicle driver involved in 2005. The 20-to-29 age group stands out as the highest age 

group among all motorcycle operator age groups among operator fatalities. However, 

there seems to be an even distribution among passenger vehicle drivers. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 19

Table 14 

Motorcycle Operators Killed and Passenger Vehicle Drivers Involved in 

Two-Vehicle Crashes by Age 

Passenger Vehicle Driver Age 

< 20 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 > 59 

Motorcycle Total 

Operator 

Age # % # % # % # % # % # % # % 

< 20 11 1 32 2 23 1 16 1 18 1 14 1 116 6 

20-29 54 3 96 5 95 5 98 5 62 3 87 5 501 28 

30-39 39 2 80 4 72 4 63 4 50 3 54 3 363 20 

40-49 45 3 77 4 78 4 71 4 51 3 49 3 373 21 

50-59 38 2 58 3 43 2 62 3 38 2 49 3 294 16 

> 59 17 1 30 2 23 1 26 1 19 1 29 2 145 8 

Total* 204 11 373 21 334 19 336 19 238 13 282 16 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) *Includes passenger vehicle drivers with unknown age

3.2.9 Sex of the Motorcycle Operator and Driver of the Passenger Vehicle 

Among the motorcycle operators killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger vehicle, 1,730 (97%) were males and 62 (3%) were females. Among the passenger vehicle 

drivers involved in these crashes, 1,134 (63%) were males, 637 (36%) were females and 

21 (1%) were unknown. Table 15 shows sex of motorcycle operators killed and passenger 

vehicle drivers involved in two-vehicle crashes in 2005. The proportion of male to female 

motorcycle operators killed in two-vehicle crashes is similar to the proportion of male to 

female motorcycle operators killed in all motorcycle crashes. 

Table 15 

Motorcycle Operators Killed and Passenger Vehicle Drivers Involved in 

Two-Vehicle Crashes by Sex 

Passenger Vehicle Driver Sex 

Male Female Unknown Motorcycle Op- Total 

erator Sex 

# % # % # % # % 

Male 1,097 61 613 34 20 1 1,730 97 

Female 37 2 24 1 1 0 62 3 

Total 1,134 63 637 36 21 1 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 

3.2.10 Licensing of the Motorcycle Operator and Driver of the Passenger Vehicle 

In 2005, 32 percent of the operators/drivers involved in 1,792 two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, were operating their vehicles with an invalid 

license at the time of the crash. Of these, 429 (24%) were motorcycle operators, who 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 20

were killed while operating the motorcycle with an invalid license and 152 (8%) were 

drivers of the passenger vehicles involved in these crashes with an invalid license. Table 

16 shows license status of motorcycle operators and drivers of passenger vehicles involved in two-vehicle crashes. The definitions for the terms valid and invalid, used in this 

report are based on the following: 

For passenger vehicle driver 

Valid – the driver was properly licensed for the class of vehicle driven at the time of the 

crash. 

Invalid – the driver was improperly licensed for the class of vehicle driven at the time of 

the crash. 

For motorcycle operator 

Valid – a valid driver license with a motorcycle endorsement, a motorcycle only license, 

learner’s permit; and a temporary license; or no license required for operating a motorcycle type vehicle like mopeds. 

Invalid – not licensed, not licensed to operate a motorcycle, or a license that is suspended, 

revoked, expired, canceled, or denied. 

Table 16 

Motorcycle Operators Killed and Passenger Vehicle Drivers Involved in 

Two-Vehicle Crashes by License Status 

Passenger Vehicle Driver License Status 

Valid Invalid Unknown 

Motorcycle Op- Total erator License 

Status # % # % # % # % 

Valid 1,223 68 106 6 20 1 1,349 75 

Invalid 370 21 46 3 13 1 429 24 

Unknown 14 1 0 0 0 0 14 1 

Total 1,607 90 152 8 33 2 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 

3.2.11 Alcohol Level of Motorcycle Operator and Driver of the Passenger Vehicle 

In 2005, 30 percent of the two-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles, in which the motorcycle operator was killed, were alcohol-related (BAC .01 g/dL 

or higher). Of the motorcycle operators who were killed in these crashes, 422 (24%) had 

a BAC of .01 g/dL or higher with 292 (16%) at BAC of .08 or higher. Of the alcohol involved (BAC ≥ .01) motorcycle operators killed, 69 percent had BAC of .08 or higher 

which is above the illegal limit in all states. Among the drivers of the passenger vehicles 

involved in these crashes, 175 (10%) had a BAC of .01 or higher with 134 (7%) at BAC 

of .08 or higher. BAC levels of motorcycle operators in two-vehicle crashes were more 

than twice that of drivers of passenger vehicles. Table 17 shows alcohol involvement of 

motorcycle operators killed and passenger vehicle drivers involved in two-vehicle crashes 

in 2005. The combined total of motorcycle operators/ passenger vehicle drivers who had 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 21

BAC levels of .01 g/dL or higher shown in table 17 is 34 percent (motorcycle operators at 

24% and passenger vehicle drivers at 10%). This does not match with the 30 percent 

mentioned earlier in this paragraph because the 30 percent represents crashes where at 

least one operator/driver had a BAC level greater than or equal to .01g/dL; and there were 

crashes in which both the motorcycle operator and the passenger vehicle driver had alcohol, a total of 34 percent. 

Table 17 

Motorcycle Operators Killed and Passenger Vehicle Drivers Involved 

 In Two-Vehicle Crashes by Their Alcohol Involvement 

Passenger Vehicle Driver Alcohol Involvement 

BAC = .00 BAC = .01-.07 BAC ≥ .08 

Motorcycle Op- Total erator Alcohol 

Involvement

# % # % # % # % 

BAC = .00 1,251 70 25 1 94 5 1,370 76 

BAC = .01-.07 112 6 3 0 15 1 130 7 

BAC ≥ .08 254 14 13 1 25 1 292 16 

Total 1,617 90 41 2 134 7 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 

3.2.12 Speeding as a Factor in the Crash 

Speeding as a factor was cited nearly 7 times more for motorcycle operators than for the 

driver of the passenger vehicle in two-vehicle crashes (27% versus 4%). Among the 

1,792 two-vehicle crashes in 2005 involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, 476 

(27%) of the motorcycle operators killed were speeding at the time of the crash compared 

to 63 (4%) of the drivers of the passenger vehicles who were speeding. Table 18 shows 

motorcycle operators killed and passenger vehicle drivers involved in two-vehicle crashes 

by speeding. 

Table 18 

Motorcycle Operators Killed and Passenger Vehicle Drivers Involved in 

Two-Vehicle Crashes by Speeding 

Passenger Vehicle Driver Speeding 

Speeding Not Speeding Motorcycle Operator Total 

Speeding 

# % # % # % 

Speeding 4 0 472 26 476 27 

Not Speeding 59 3 1,257 70 1,316 73 

Total 63 4 1,729 96 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 22

3.2.13 Manner of Collision and Vehicle Role of the Motorcycle and Passenger Vehicle 

 

Of the 1,792 two-vehicle crashes between motorcycles and a passenger vehicles in 2005, 

146 (8%) were crashes where the manner of collision was not collision with a motor vehicle in transport. This means the first harmful event (the event that causes the unstabilized situation in the crash) was not the collision between the motorcycle and the 

passenger vehicle. However, the most harmful event (the event that leads to the injury/fatality in the crash) occurred during the collision between the motorcycle and the 

passenger vehicle. Of the other crashes where the first harmful event recorded in the 

crash was collision between the motorcycle and passenger vehicle; 640 (36%) were frontto-side crashes where one vehicle hit the other vehicle at a right angle; 319 (18%) were 

head-on crashes; 276 (15%) were front-to-side crashes in which the vehicles were moving in the opposite direction; 204 (11%) were rear-end crashes; 82 (5%) were sideswipe 

crashes and 63 (4%) were front-to-side crashes in which both the vehicles were moving 

in the same direction. 

Of the 640 front-to-side crashes between motorcycles and passenger vehicles where the 

vehicles crashed into each other at right angles, 501 (78%) crashes, the role of the motorcycle in the crash was recorded as striking the passenger vehicle and in 122 (19%) 

crashes, the role of the passenger vehicle was recorded as striking the motorcycle. 

Among the 319 head-on crashes between motorcycles and passenger vehicles, in 176 

(55%) crashes, the role of the motorcycle in the crash was recorded as striking the passenger vehicle, in 103 (32%) crashes, the role of the passenger vehicle was recorded as 

striking the motorcycle and in 34 (11%) crashes the role for both the vehicles in the crash 

was recorded as striking the other vehicle. 

Of the 276 front-to-side crashes between motorcycles and passenger vehicles where the 

vehicles crashed in the opposite direction, in 219 (79%) crashes the role of the motorcycle in the crash was recorded as striking the passenger vehicle, and in 48 (17%) crashes 

the role of the passenger vehicle was recorded as striking the motorcycle. 

Of the 204 rear-end crashes between motorcycles and passenger vehicles, in 139 (68%) 

crashes the role of the motorcycle in the crash was recorded as striking the passenger vehicle, and in 59 (29%) crashes the role of the passenger vehicle was recorded as striking 

the motorcycle. Table 19 shows motorcycle operators killed and passenger vehicle drivers involved in two-vehicle crashes in 2005 by manner of collision and vehicle role. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 23

Table 19 

Motorcycle Operators Killed and Passenger Vehicle Drivers Involved in Two-Vehicle Crashes in 2005, 

by Manner of Collision and Vehicle Role

Other Vehicle Role 

Non-Collision Striking Struck Both Unknown 

Manner of Collision and Mo- Total* 

torcycle Role 

# % # % # % # % # % # % 

Non Collision 1 0.7 1 0.7 0 0.0 1 0.7 0 0.0 3 2.1 

Striking 1 0.7 9 6.2 97 66.4 1 0.7 0 0.0 108 74.0 

Struck 1 0.7 28 19.2 1 0.7 0 0.0 0 0.0 30 20.5 

Both 0 0.0 4 2.7 1 0.7 0 0.0 0 0.0 5 3.4 

Not applicable 

Total 3 2.1 42 28.8 99 67.8 2 1.4 0 0.0 146 100.0 

Striking 0 0.0 0 0.0 139 68.1 1 0.5 0 0.0 140 68.6 

Struck 0 0.0 59 28.9 2 1.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 61 29.9 

Both 0 0.0 2 1.0 0 0.0 1 0.5 0 0.0 3 1.5 

Rear-End 

Total 0 0.0 61 29.9 141 69.1 2 1.0 0 0.0 204 100.0 

Striking 0 0.0 34 10.7 176 55.2 0 0.0 0 0.0 210 65.8 

Struck 0 0.0 103 32.3 3 0.9 0 0.0 0 0.0 106 33.2 

Both 0 0.0 1 0.3 0 0.0 2 0.6 0 0.0 3 0.9 

Head-On 

Total 0 0.0 138 43.3 179 56.1 2 0.6 0 0.0 319 100.0 

Striking 0 0.0 0 0.0 49 77.8 1 1.6 0 0.0 50 79.4 

Struck 0 0.0 12 19.0 1 1.6 0 0.0 0 0.0 13 20.6 

Front-to-Side: 

Same Direction Total 0 0.0 12 19.0 50 79.4 1 1.6 0 0.0 63 100.0 

Striking 0 0.0 0 0.0 219 79.3 3 1.1 0 0.0 222 80.4 

Struck 0 0.0 48 17.4 4 1.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 52 18.8 

Both 0 0.0 1 0.4 0 0.0 1 0.4 0 0.0 2 0.7 

Front-to-Side: 

Opposite Direction 

Total 0 0.0 49 17.8 223 80.8 4 1.4 0 0.0 276 100.0 

Striking 0 0.0 2 0.3 501 78.3 5 0.8 0 0.0 508 79.4 

Struck 0 0.0 122 19.1 4 0.6 0 0.0 0 0.0 126 19.7 

Both 0 0.0 1 0.2 3 0.5 2 0.3 0 0.0 6 0.9 

Front-to-Side: 

Right Angle 

Total 0 0.0 125 19.5 508 79.4 7 1.1 0 0.0 640 100.0 

Striking 0 0.0 0 0.0 40 85.1 0 0.0 0 0.0 40 85.1 

Struck 0 0.0 5 10.6 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 5 10.6 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 2 4.3 2 4.3 

Front-to-Side: 

Unknown 

Direction 

Total 0 0.0 5 10.6 40 85.1 0 0.0 2 4.3 47 100.0 

Striking 0 0.0 0 0.0 17 39.5 2 4.7 0 0.0 19 44.2 

Struck 0 0.0 19 44.2 1 2.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 20 46.5 

Both 0 0.0 3 7.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 3 7.0 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 2.3 1 2.3 

Sideswipe: 

Same Direction 

Total 0 0.0 22 51.2 18 41.9 2 4.7 1 2.3 43 100.0 

Striking 0 0.0 0 0.0 28 71.8 0 0.0 0 0.0 28 71.8 

Struck 0 0.0 11 28.2 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 11 28.2 

Sideswipe: 

Opposite Direction Total 0 0.0 11 28.2 28 71.8 0 0.0 0 0.0 39 100.0 

Striking 0 0.0 0 0.0 4 66.7 0 0.0 0 0.0 4 66.7 

Rear-to-Side Struck 0 0.0 2 33.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 2 33.3 

Total 0 0.0 2 33.3 4 66.7 0 0.0 0 0.0 6 100.0 

Struck 0 0.0 1 100.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 100.0 Rear-to-Rear 

Total 0 0.0 1 100.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 100.0 

Non Collision 1 0.1 1 0.1 0 0.0 1 0.1 0 0.0 3 0.2 

Striking 1 0.1 45 2.5 1,275 71.1 13 0.7 0 0.0 1,334 74.4 

Struck 1 0.1 412 23.0 16 0.9 0 0.0 0 0.0 429 23.9 

Both 0 0.0 12 0.7 4 0.2 6 0.3 0 0.0 22 1.2 

Unknown 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 4 0.2 4 0.2 

Total* 

Total 3 0.2 470 26.2 1,295 72.3 20 1.1 4 0.2 1,792 100.0 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) * Includes Unknown and Other Manner of Collisions 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 24

3.2.14 Previous Driving Records for the Motorcycle Operator and Passenger Vehicle Driver 

 

Among the 1,792 motorcycle operators and passenger vehicle drivers involved in twovehicle crashes, 885 (49%) of the motorcycle operators had a previous driving record 

(crash, suspension or revocation, DWI convictions, speeding conviction, other harmful 

convictions) in the 3 years prior to the crash. Among the passenger vehicle drivers involved in these crashes 603 (34%) had a previous driving record. In 314 (18%) of the 

crashes both the motorcycle operator and the other driver had previous violations. Table 

20 shows motorcycle operators and passenger vehicle drivers by their previous driving 

record. 

Table 20 

Motorcycle Operators Killed and Passenger Vehicle Drivers Involved in 

Two-Vehicle Crashes by Previous Driving Record 

Passenger Vehicle Driver Previous 

Driving Record 

Yes No 

Motorcycle Operator Total Previous Driving Record 

# % # % # % 

Yes 314 18 571 32 885 49 

No 289 16 618 34 907 51 

Total 603 34 1,189 66 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 

3.2.15 Violations Charged in the Crash 

In 2005, among the passenger vehicle drivers involved in two-vehicle motorcycle 

crashes, there were violations reported in the crash for 30 percent of the passenger vehicle drivers. The analysis in this section does not cover motorcycle operators due to the 

fact that violations are not charged for fatally injured motorcycle operators in the crash. 

For the passenger vehicle drivers involved, nearly 15 percent had violations of rules-ofthe-road charged (like turning, yielding, signaling); about 9 percent had violations 

charged for offenses like reckless driving, careless driving, and hit-and-run; 5 percent of 

them had license and registration violations charged; and 4 percent of the drivers were 

charged with impairment offenses. Table 21 shows violations charged to passenger vehicle drivers involved in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 25

Table 21 

Passenger Vehicle Drivers Involved in Two-Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes 

By Violations Charged 

Passenger Vehicle 

Violations Charged Driver 

# % 

Speed-Related Offenses 6 0.3 

Non-Moving - License and Registration Violations 90 5.0 

Reckless/ Careless/ Hit-and-Run-Type Offenses 158 8.8 

Rules of the Road (total) 275 15.3 

 Rules of the Road - Turning, Yielding, and Signaling 206 11.5 

 Rules of the Road - Traffic Sign and Signals 38 2.1 

 Rules of the Road - Wrong Side, Passing, and 

 Following 21 1.2 

 Rules of the Road - Lane Usage 10 0.6 

Equipment 6 0.3 

Impairment Offenses 71 4.0 

Other Violations 2 0.1 

None Reported 1,261 70.4 

Unknown 90 5.0 

Total Drivers 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 

Note: The sums of the numbers and percentages are greater than the total drivers as each 

driver may be coded with more than one violation

3.2.16 Driver-Related Factors 

Among the motorcycle operators and passenger vehicle drivers involved in two-vehicle 

crashes in 2005, 27 percent of the driver related factors in the crash for the motorcycle 

operator was driving too fast for conditions or in excess of posted speed limit, compared 

to 3 percent for the passenger vehicle driver. Fifteen percent of the driver related factors 

for the motorcycle operators were failure to keep in proper lane or running off road compared to 9 percent for passenger vehicle drivers. Driving under the influence of alcohol, 

drugs, or medication was a related factor in the crash for 9 percent of the motorcycle operators, compared to 7 percent for passenger vehicle drivers. Operating the vehicle in an 

erratic or reckless manner was a related factor in the crash for 5 percent of the motorcycle 

operators, compared to 2 percent for the passenger vehicle driver. Failure to yield right of 

way was a related factor in the crash for 4 percent of the motorcycle operators compared 

to 35 percent for passenger vehicle drivers in the crash. This indicates that in two-vehicle 

crashes involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, more than one-third of the related factors for the passenger vehicle driver were not yielding right-of-way to the motorcycle operator. Table 22 shows related factors in the crash for motorcycle operators and 

passenger vehicle drivers involved these crashes. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 26

Table 22 

Motorcycle Operators Killed and Passenger Vehicle Drivers Involved 

In Two-Vehicle Crashes by Driver Related Factors

Motorcycle 

Operator

Passenger VeDriver Related Factors hicle Driver 

# % # % 

Driving too fast for conditions or in excess of 

posted limit or racing 482 26.9 61 3.4 

Failure to keep in proper lane or running off road 271 15.1 161 9.0 

*Operating vehicle in erratic, reckless, ... 84 4.7 33 1.8 

Failure to obey traffic signs, signals, or officer 77 4.3 55 3.1 

Failure to yield right-of-way 64 3.6 630 35.2 

Inattentive (talking, eating, etc.) 58 3.2 90 5.0 

Vision obscured (rain, snow, glare, lights, building, trees, etc.) 35 2.0 53 3.0 

Driving wrong way on one-way traffic or wrong 

side of road 35 2.0 20 1.1 

**Swerving or avoiding due to wind, slippery 

surface, ... 

17 0.9 9 0.5 

Making improper turn 17 0.9 84 4.7 

Overcorrecting/oversteering 12 0.7 10 0.6 

Drowsy, asleep, fatigued, ill, or blackout 1 0.1 8 0.4 

Under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication 159 8.9 127 7.1 

Other factors 293 16.4 293 16.4 

None reported 813 45.4 711 39.7 

Unknown 38 2.1 26 1.5 

Total Drivers 1,792 100 1,792 100 

Source: NCSA, FARS 2005 (ARF) 

Note: The sums of the numbers and percents are greater than the total drivers as each driver 

may be coded with more than one factor

* Operating the Vehicle in an - Erratic, Reckless, Careless, or Negligent Manner or Operating at Erratic or 

Suddenly Changing Speeds. 

** Swerving or avoiding due to - Severe Crosswind, Wind From Passing Truck, Slippery or Loose Surface, 

Tire Blow-Out or Flat, Debris or Objects in Road, Ruts, Holes, Bumps in Road, Live Animals in Road, Vehicle in Road, Phantom Vehicle, Pedestrian, Pedalcyclist, or Other Nonmotorist in Road, Ice, Water, Snow, 

Slush, Sand, Dirt, Oil, Wet Leaves on Road. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 27

4. FINDINGS 

Findings from the analyses based on fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2005 are shown below. 

• In nearly three-fourths of the two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger vehicles, the role of the motorcycle was recorded as the striking vehicle. 

• Alcohol involvement among motorcycle operators killed was almost 2.5 times the alcohol involvement of the passenger vehicle drivers involved in these crashes. Of the 

alcohol involved (BAC .01+) motorcycle operators killed in these crashes 69 percent 

had BACs of .08+, which is above the illegal limit in all States. 

• Twenty-four percent of the motorcycle operators killed in two-vehicle crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2005 had an invalid license compared to 8 percent of the 

passenger vehicle drivers involved in these crashes. 

• Of the motorcycle operators who were killed in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger vehicles 27 percent were speeding at the time of the crash compared to 4 percent of the passenger vehicle drivers who were involved in these 

crashes. 

• Among the front-to-side crashes, 36 percent of the crashes were one vehicle colliding 

with the other at right angles. Of these crashes (front-to-side at right angles), in 78 

percent of the crashes the role of the motorcycle was recorded as the striking vehicle. 

• In 55 percent of the head-on two-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles, the role of the motorcycle was recorded as the striking vehicle and in 68 

percent of the rear-end crashes the role of the motorcycle was recorded as the striking 

vehicle. 

• Of the motorcycle operators killed in two-vehicle crashes, 49 percent had previous 

driving records compared to 34 percent for the passenger vehicle drivers involved in 

these crashes. 

• Twenty-seven percent of the related factors for the motorcycle operators killed in 

two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger vehicles were driving too fast for 

conditions or in excess of posted speed limit, 15 percent were failure to keep in 

proper lane or running off the road, and 5 percent were operating vehicles in an erratic or reckless manner. For the passenger vehicle drivers involved in these crashes 

35 percent of the driver-related factors were failure to yield right-of-way, 9 percent 

were failure to keep in proper lane or running off the road, and 7 percent were driving 

under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other medication. 

• There were 1.5 times as many two-vehicle motorcycle crashes in 2005 during weekends than during weekdays. Of the two-vehicle motorcycle crashes that occurred dur-
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 28

ing daytime, 43 percent were on Saturdays and Sundays and of the crashes that occurred during nighttime 55 percent were on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

• Of the two-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles and passenger vehicles in 2005, 91 

percent occurred on non-interstate roadways and of these half were crashes at intersections and the other half were non-intersection crashes. 

• In 2005, nearly 6 out of 10 two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger vehicles occurred on urban roadways. 

• Seventy-one percent of the two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger vehicles occurred from May to October. This is similar to the general pattern seen among 

motorcycle rider fatalities every year, indicating prime riding season for motorcycles 

in all the states. 

• Braking was reported as a crash avoidance maneuver by motorcycle operators in 13 

percent of the crashes and by passenger vehicle drivers in 4 percent of the crashes. 

Steering was reported as crash avoidance maneuver by passenger vehicle drivers in 8 

percent of the crashes and by motorcycle operators in 6 percent of the crashes. 

• Twenty-eight percent of the motorcycle operators killed in two-vehicle motorcycle 

crashes involving passenger vehicles were in the 20 to 29 age group, followed by 21 

percent for the 40 to 49 age group and 20 percent for the 30 to 39 age group. Among 

motorcycle rider fatalities every year the 20 to 29 age group has the highest fatalities. 

• Of the motorcycle operators killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and 

a passenger vehicle, 97 percent were males and 3 percent were females. 

• Of the 1,792 two-vehicle motorcycle crashes involving passenger vehicles, 57 percent 

were crashes in which the vehicles crashed front-to-side, 18 percent were crashes in 

which the vehicles crashed into each other head on, 11 percent of the crashes were 

rear-end crashes and 5 percent were sideswipe crashes. 

• In two-vehicle motorcycle crashes in 2005, 30 percent of passenger vehicle drivers 

involved were charged with driving violations. Violations were not charged for motorcycle operators in these crashes due to the fact that violations are not charged for 

fatally injured people. 
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 29

5. REFERENCES 

1. Klein, T.M. A Method of Estimating Posterior BAC Distributions for Persons Involved in Fatal Traffic Accidents: Final Report. 1986. DOT-HS-807-094. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

2. Shankar, Umesh, & Varghese, Cherian. Recent Trends in Fatal Motorcycle Crashes: 

An Update. June 2006. DOT HS 810 606. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 
DOT HS 810 834

September 2007