KEY FACTS

• In 2006, motorcyclists accounted for 11.1 percent of all traffic fatalities - the highest level since 1981 - up 5.4 percent from 2005.
  
• Motorcycle crash fatalities have increased for nine years in a row.
• There were 5.8 million motorcycles on U.S. roads in 2004, according to latest data available, compared with 133.3 million passenger cars.
• Motorcyclists were 34 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash in 2005, per vehicle mile traveled, and 8 times more likely to be injured.
• The fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2005 was 4.8 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants per registered vehicle in 2004.
• In 2005, the majority of motorcycle fatalities occurred between 3 pm to 6 pm on weekdays and 6 pm to 9 pm on weekends.
• In 2005, the majority of motorcycle injuries occurred between 3 pm to 6 pm on both weekdays and weekends.
• In 2005, 47 percent of motorcycle riders killed in crashes were age 40 or over. In contrast, fatalities among young motorcycle riders have declined in the past 10 years, relative to other age groups.
• In 2005, 34 percent of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding.
• Twenty-four percent of motorcycle operators who were involved in fatal crashes were riding without a valid license in 2005.
• In 2005 motorcycle helmets saved 1,546 lives. Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries.
• Motorcycles accounted for 2.4 percent of all registered motor vehicles and 0.3 percent of vehicle miles traveled in 2004.
• Some 88,000 motorcycles were involved in crashes in 2004.
• 27 percent of motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes had a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.08 compared with 22 percent of drivers of passenger cars.
• Since 1973 about 3.2 million motorcyclists have taken MSF training courses.