Every year, hundreds of motorcyclists end up in hospitals around Arizona due to serious accidents. Most of these accidents are preventable and caused by driver negligence, such as speeding or inattention. Keeping up with Arizona’s latest motorcycle crash facts and statistics can help prevent these accidents. Knowing how and why these collisions occur could help keep you safe when you ride in Arizona.
Most Recent Motorcycle Accident Statistics for Arizona
Every year the Arizona Department of Transportation releases its Motor Vehicle Crash Facts summary. This document compiles data from all types of accidents, including motorcycle collisions. Statewide statistics are collected for many reasons, including identifying risk factors that threaten the safety of motorcyclists and other road users. The following are key motorcycle accident statistics from Arizona’s latest traffic accident report (2021):
- There are currently 278,464 registered motorcycles in Arizona.
- There were a total of 2,594 motorcycle accidents in Arizona in 2021.
- The number of motorcycle accidents increased by about 12 percent from 2020 to 2021.
- Motorcycle accidents accounted for 2.14 percent of all traffic accidents in the state.
- A total of 160 motorcyclists were killed and 2,206 were injured.
- Approximately 383 motorcycle accidents resulted in property damage only.
- The majority of motorcycle collisions occurred in urban areas (77.49 percent).
- Most motorcycle accidents took place during the day (1,660).
- The most dangerous day of the week for motorcyclists was Saturday.
- The most dangerous times of day were 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the week and 6:00 p.m. on weekends.
- A total of 1,526 motorcycle accidents involved other vehicles, while 495 were collisions with fixed objects.
- The age group most involved in motorcycle crashes was 25-to-34-year-olds (644 accidents).
- In most accidents (80.43 percent), the motorcyclist was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- The county with the highest number of motorcycle collisions was Maricopa County (1,576).
Motorcycle accidents have increased in frequency in Arizona over the past several years. Risks such as distracted driving, drunk driving and speeding contribute to motorcycle accidents each year. Highlighting these issues can help protect motorcyclists in the future by improving road safety and raising awareness.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Arizona?
Data shows that driver error is the number one cause of motorcycle collisions. Motor vehicle drivers can make many mistakes behind the wheel that increase the risk of serious or fatal motorcycle accidents. Common examples are:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Failing to yield
- Unsafe lane changes
- Making improper turns
- Unsafe passing
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Aggressive or reckless driving
In addition to driver error, road defects are also behind many motorcycle accidents in Arizona. Issues such as potholes, debris, cracks, loose rubble, grass clippings and wet roads can all cause motorcyclists to crash.
How Does Arizona Compare to the Rest of the U.S.?
Motorcycle accident data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2020 states that an estimated 5,579 motorcyclists were killed and 82,528 were injured in traffic accidents. This was an 11 percent increase in the number of fatalities from 2019. Per vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists died nearly 28 times more frequently than passenger vehicle occupants in traffic accidents in 2020.
The National Safety Council states that while motorcycles only make up about 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the U.S., they account for 18 percent of all occupant fatalities. However, unlike in Arizona, nationally, motorcyclist injury rates have been on a downward trend in recent years. One thing that motorcyclists can do to decrease their risk of serious injury and death in an accident is to wear a helmet.
Motorcycle accidents in Arizona are often preventable. If you or a loved one was injured in a recent motorcycle crash, contact the attorneys at The Law Offices of John Phebus Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer to discuss your legal rights.