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    Motorcycle Safety

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      Overview
                      Motorcycle riders continue to be overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes. In 2022, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed — 15% of all traffic fatalities. NHTSA data show that this is the highest number of motorcyclists killed since at least 1975. To keep everyone safe, we urge drivers and motorcyclists to share the road and be alert, and we're reminding motorcyclists to make themselves visible, to use DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets, and to always ride sober.

          
                    
          
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                                Motorcyclists At Risk

                                                  6,218
      Motorcyclists killed in 2022
      Source
                                  42%
      Motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2022 and were alcohol-impaired
                                  67%
      DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet use in 2022

        Choose the Right Helmet Before You Hit the Road

        Motorcycle Safety
                                                                                                              The Topic
                                                                                NHTSA In Action
                                                                                Resources

      Motorist Awareness
                                      Motorcyclist Safety
                                      Road Ready
                                      On the Road

        Motorcycle Safety
      The Topic
                      
                                              Motorist Awareness
                                                          Motorcyclist Safety
                                                          Road Ready
                                                          On the Road
                                                                              NHTSA In Action
                                                                              Resources

                    The Topic
                  

                  Motorist Awareness
          
          
    
  
       
  Safe riding practices and cooperation from all road users will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our nation’s highways. But it’s especially important for drivers to understand the safety challenges faced by motorcyclists such as size and visibility, and motorcycle riding practices like downshifting and weaving to know how to anticipate and respond to them. By raising motorists’ awareness, both drivers and riders will be safer sharing the road.The Topic
                  

                  Motorcyclist Safety
          
          
    
  
       
  
TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS & DATA PUBLICATIONS
		Motorcycles, Helmet Use
   
  If you ride a motorcycle, you already know how much fun riding can be. You understand the exhilaration of cruising the open road and the challenge of controlling a motorcycle. But motorcycling also can be dangerous. Per vehicle miles traveled in 2022, motorcyclists were about 22 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were 4 times more likely to be injured. Safe motorcycling takes balance, coordination, and good judgment.The Topic
                  

                  Road Ready
          
          
    
  
       
  Make Sure You Are Properly Licensed
		 
  Driving a car and riding a motorcycle require different skills and knowledge. Although motorcycle-licensing regulations vary, all states require a motorcycle license endorsement to supplement your automobile driver's license. To receive the proper endorsement in most states, you'll need to pass written and on-cycle skills tests administered by your state's licensing agency. Some states require you to take a state-sponsored rider education course. Others waive the on-cycle skills test if you've already taken and passed a state-approved course. Either way, completing a motorcycle rider education course is a good way to ensure you have the correct instruction and experience it takes to ride a motorcycle. Contact your state motor vehicle administration to find a motorcycle rider-training course near you.Of the motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes in 2022, 35% were riding without valid motorcycle licenses

 
  Practice Operating Your Motorcycle
		 
  Given the fact that motorcycles vary in handling and responsiveness, be sure to take the time to get accustomed to the feel of a new or unfamiliar motorcycle by riding it in a controlled area. Once you feel comfortable with your bike, you can take it into traffic. Make sure you know how to handle your motorcycle in a variety of conditions (e.g., inclement weather or encountering hazards such as slick roads, potholes, and road debris).

 
  Before Every Ride
		 
  Check your motorcycle’s tire pressure and tread depth, hand and foot brakes, headlights and signal indicators, and fluid levels before you ride. You should also check under the motorcycle for signs of oil or gas leaks. If you're carrying cargo, you should secure and balance the load on the cycle; and adjust the suspension and tire pressure to accommodate the extra weight. If you're carrying a passenger, he or she should mount the motorcycle only after the engine has started; should sit as far forward as possible, directly behind you; and should keep both feet on the foot rests at all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped. Remind your passenger to keep his or her legs and feet away from the muffler. Tell your passenger to hold on firmly to your waist, hips, or belt; keep movement to a minimum; and lean at the same time and in the same direction as you do. Do not let your passenger dismount the motorcycle until you say it is safe.The Topic
                  

                  On the Road
          
          
    
  
       
  If you're ever in a serious motorcycle crash, the best hope you have for protecting your brain is a motorcycle helmet. Always wear a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. Look for the DOT symbol on the outside back of the helmet. Snell and ANSI labels located inside the helmet also show that the helmet meets the standards of those private, non-profit organizations. Learn more about choosing the right helmet.Arms and legs should be completely covered when riding a motorcycle, ideally by wearing leather or heavy denim. In addition to providing protection in a crash, protective gear also helps prevent dehydration. Boots or shoes should be high enough to cover your ankles, while gloves allow for a better grip and help protect your hands in the event of a crash. Wearing brightly colored clothing with reflective material will make you more visible to other vehicle drivers.

 
  Ride Responsibly
		 
  Experienced riders know local traffic laws - and they don't take risks. Obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits, and lane markings; ride with the flow of traffic and leave plenty of room between your bike and other vehicles; and always check behind you and signal before you change lanes. Remember to ride defensively. The majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes generally are caused when other drivers simply didn't see the motorcyclist. Proceed cautiously at intersections and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles as appropriate. You can increase your visibility by applying reflective materials to your motorcycle and by keeping your motorcycle's headlights on at all times, even using high beams during the day.

 
  Be Alcohol and Drug Free
		 
  Alcohol and drugs, including some prescribed medications, negatively affect your judgment, coordination, balance, throttle control, and ability to shift gears. These substances also impair your alertness and reduce your reaction time. Even when you're fully alert, it's impossible to predict what other vehicles or pedestrians are going to do. Therefore, make sure you are alcohol and drug free when you get on your motorcycle. Otherwise, you'll be heading for trouble.
                NHTSA In Action
                  

                  NHTSA is dedicated to promoting safe behaviors on our nation’s roads
          
          
    
  
       
  Motorcyclists continue to be overrepresented in traffic-related fatalities. NHTSA is dedicated to promoting safe behaviors of motorcyclists and other motorists, as spelled out in our Motorcycle Safety 5-Year Plan and demonstrated by our public awareness campaigns like Rider Safety, *Share the Road* and *Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over*. Additionally, NHTSA’s Safety Assessment Program conducts comprehensive reviews of state motorcycle safety programs, providing insight and tools to refine and improve programming to advance traffic safety. In 2023, DOT started the process for establishing the Motorcyclist Advisory Council to provide information, advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation and to the administrators of NHTSA and the Federal Highway Administration on transportation issues of concern to motorcyclists.
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