The wind in your face, the open road, the roar of the engine—motorcycle riding is so much fun!  It is a type of freedom that allows adults to be children again!  However, the same freedom that brings so much joy to the rider is also the rider’s number one danger.  Motorcycle riders are totally exposed; they have very little protection.  Thus, when they are involved in an accident their injuries are usually much more severe—even fatal!

No matter how dangerous they might be, motorcycles are a legal mode of transportation in Georgia and they have a right to be on Georgia roads just like every other vehicle.  The statistics highlighted below from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety might shed some light on ways for motorcycle riders to protect themselves when riding.

We hope this information helps Georgia citizens safely enjoy their passion for motorcycle riding.  Be safe and have fun!!

Latest Motorcycle Traffic Safety Fact Sheet Shows

SEPTEMBER 09, 2021

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) publishes the 2019 Georgia motorcycle traffic crashes and fatalities fact sheet.

The latest Georgia motorcycle traffic safety fact sheet data finds that although motorcycles represent just 2% of registered vehicles, motorcyclists are consistently overrepresented in traffic fatalities. In 2019, motorcyclists represented 11% of total traffic fatalities and 21% of total driver fatalities.

This comprehensive fact sheet gives Georgia residents statistical motorcycle data at the state level, as an accessible resource of traffic safety information. The data puts into numbers where crashes are happening, who are involved in crashes, how many were multi-vehicle crashes, plus what contributing factors play a role.

For Georgia, motorcyclist fatalities have steadily increased in recent years. In 2017 there were 139 fatalities, 154 in 2018, 170 in 2019, and 179 in 2020. From 2017 to 2019, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 22%.

In 2019, there were 3,948 motorcycle crashes statewide and a total of 4,269 motorcyclists involved in crashes. The fact sheet found that for every 100,000 registered motorcycles there were 1,941.5 motorcycle crashes. The Atlanta region accounted for 42% of motorcycle crashes, with findings that indicate metro Atlanta has a higher rate of crashes compared to rural counties. The top counties with the highest number of motorcyclist fatalities and serious injuries were Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Bibb.

The majority of all motorcycle crashes occur in North Georgia. Generally, there are higher motorcycle crash rates in metro-Atlanta and in the rural counties in the northeast area, Georgia-North and South Carolina border.

Forty-three percent of all weekday motorcyclist fatalities occurred between 12:00 p.m. and 5:59 p.m., and 49 percent of all weekend motorcyclist fatalities occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.

Although motorcycles consistently represent two percent of all registered vehicles and one percent of all motor vehicle crashes in Georgia, motorcycle operators represented 21 percent of all driver fatalities in 2019.

In 2019, 88 percent (3,542 out of 4,029) of the motorcycle operators involved in all crashes were male, and six percent (246 out of 4,029) were female. Seventy-seven percent (184 out of 240) of the motorcycle passengers involved in crashes were female.

According to the police crash reports, there were 3,948 motorcycle crashes, 4,269 motorcyclists involved in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and 705 suspected serious injuries among motorcyclists in 2019 statewide.

In 2019, 17 percent of all motorcyclists involved in crashes, 15 percent of all motorcyclists with serious injuries, and 7 percent of motorcyclists fatally injured were un-helmeted (based on reported known helmet use).

In 2019, the top contributing factors among motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes were: (1) following improperly (2) operating vehicle in an erratic, reckless, or negligent manner; and (3) passing with insufficient distance or inadequate visibility or failure to yield to overtaking vehicle. The top contributing factors among motorcycle operators involved in all crashes: (1) driver lost control; (2) following too close; (3) speeding; (4) under the influence of alcohol/drugs; and (5) change lanes improperly. This does not imply that the motorcycle operators caused the crash either by their actions or failure to act.

“The most important takeaway from this data is simply this: riders are encouraged to slow down, particularly in the metro Atlanta area, seek training from a state-certified training provider (DDS Operated Motorcycle Training Locations), register your motorcycle, and get fully licensed with a Class M license,” said Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program Manager, Holly Hegyesi.

Other key findings include:

• Riders aged 25–34 represent 23% of motorcycle operator fatalities
• 83% of motorcyclists involved in crashes were helmeted
• 18% of motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes were speeding
• Total motorcycle-related hospitalization and emergency room charges were $221 million

“Research indicates that successful completion of a RiderEducation (RE) course is a contributing factor in successful highway outcomes for riders of all skill levels. For this reason, we encourage all riders to take a RE course and get fully licensed,” said Hegyesi.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident in Georgia, we can help you.  Weaver Law Firm has been in business for 23 years; we have three offices to conveniently serve all of North Georgia and metro Atlanta.  Weaver Law Firm handles only injury cases:  motorcycle, car, and truck accidents, slip and fall cases, wrongful death cases, dog bites, boating accidents, on the job injuries–any injury case–call us for help!  With Weaver Law Firm on your side you can take comfort in knowing that you have a dedicated injury attorney working on your case at all times.

Our team at Weaver Law Firm specializes in motorcycle accidents, and we help motorcycle accident victims and their families every day.  You are welcome to call one of our motorcycle attorneys at any time, day or night, at 770-415-5555. You can also complete our client consultation form online at www.weaverfirm.com and one of our motorcycle accident lawyers will call you.  There is no fee for the consultation and you pay nothing unless we WIN your case.  Weaver Law Firm—for 23 years–we have been honored to serve the people of Georgia and we are here for you today.