Ohio Department of Transportation District 1
Motorcycle Safety Fact Sheet
Overview
In 2012, 163 people were killed and 3,824 were injured in motorcycle accidents in Ohio. That year,
motorcycle deaths and serious injuries accounted for 16 percent of Ohio’s deaths and 12 percent of
serious injuries. Ohioans can help make these statistics lower by vehicle and motorcycle drivers following
safe operating procedures in the coming months.
Motorcyclists have all the same rights and privileges as any motor vehicle driver on the roadway. During
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May - and during the rest of the year - drivers of all other
vehicles and all road users are reminded to safely "share the road" with motorcyclists, and to be extra alert
to help keep motorcyclists safe.
Crash Occurred On
Total
In the eight-county region of ODOT
Motorcycle
Non State
District 1, there are 16,490 registered
County
Crashes
State
Routes
Routes
motorcycle operators. Within the region,
Allen
125
63
62
there were 116 total crashes in 2012, with
Defiance
38
21
17
92 injuries and two fatalities. The
Hancock
78
42
36
following chart displays the number of
Hardin
19
8
11
crashes involving motorcycles in District
Paulding
12
9
3
1 from 2010 through 2012:
Putnam
12
10
2
Van
Wert
27
15
12
Additional regional statistics from 2010 Wyandot
19
8
11
to 2012 relating to motorcycle
Total
330
176
154
accidents:
Of the 330 crashes within the region, 11 were fatal and 256 resulted in injury.
The highest accident day was Friday.
Most of the accidents occurred between 5-7 p.m. on straight, level pavement.
The majority happened during clear conditions on dry pavement during daytime hours.
The highest crash month was June.
(over)
Leading Causes of Accidents and Injuries in Ohio
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Roadway departure, or when a vehicle crosses an edge line or a center line, or otherwise leaves
the traveled way, accounted for approximately one third of all motorcycle accidents.
Intersection related accidents accounted for another one third of all motorcycle accidents.
Approximately one fourth of accidents were related to speeding.
Approximately one fifth of accidents were related to alcohol use.
In nearly 66 percent of accidents in 2012 that ended in death or serious injury, the operator was
not wearing a helmet.
Contributing factors to motorcycle accidents included a crash with a fixed object, a motorcycle
operator overturning, left turns, rear-end accidents and meeting or passing sideswipes.
Most motorcycle accidents occur when the operator is traveling a short distance, or taking a trip
less than five miles, and traveling at speeds less than 30 miles per hour.
Motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to experience a deadly accident on the road than those in
passenger cars.
Motorcycle Operator Safety Tips
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Motorcycle operators should be licensed and take a Motorcycle Ohio training course.
Operators should use a DOT approved helmet with faceshield, gloves, jacket, pants and boots to
maximize safety in case of an accident.
Using the motorcycle’s headlight at all times and wearing bright colored clothing will maximize
visibility for other drivers.
General Safety Tips
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Never operate a vehicle or motorcycle while distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Use a three to four second following distance when behind a motorcycle to allow them room and
time to maneuver in case of an emergency.
Always signal lane changes and turns to help other drivers anticipate changes in traffic.
Remember that minor inconveniences for most vehicle operators such as wet roads, gravel, pot
holes, railroad tracks and grooved pavements can become major road hazards for motorcycle
operators.
Drivers should check all blind spots before turning, passing or entering an intersection to be
certain that there are no motorcycles within the blind spots.
Sources
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The Ohio Department of Transportation:
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPPM/SystemsPlanning/Pages/MotorcycleCrashStatistics.aspx
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles
ODPS Motorcycle Ohio:
http://motorcycle.ohio.gov/index.stm
Traffic Safety Marketing:
http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/ShareTheRoad