Motorcycle-related crashes increase

Crashes increase 16 percent between 2014 and 2016, data says

Motorcycle-related crashes increased in 2016, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Motorcycle-related crashes in Ohio increased by 16 percent in 2016, according to data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

“Riding a motorcycle versus a car, there is less margin for error,” said Lt. Robert Sellers, public affairs commander of the Ohio Highway Patrol. “You’re on two wheels instead of four.”

According to a recent traffic safety bulletin, 4,235 crashes involving a motorcycle happened on Ohio roadways in 2016. That is an increase of 16 percent since 2014.

Of these crashes, 194 led to the deaths of 203 people last year.

According to the bulletin, motorcycle drivers were at fault in 65 percent of fatal motorcycle-related crashes and 54 percent of motorcycle crashes overall.

In 40 percent of all motorcycle crashes, only the motorcycle was involved. Of the fatal crashes, 46 percent involved only the motorcycle, according to the bulletin.

When broken down by county, the statistics vary, but Sellers said that outside factors influence those numbers.

“Areas with a higher population will see an increase in crashes compared to areas with lower populations,” he said.

There were 414 motorcycle

crashes in Cuyahoga County in 2016. In comparison, neighboring Lorain, Lake, and Geauga counties had 95, 76, and 32 motorcycle crashes in 2016 respectively.

While the number of registered motorcycles in the state stayed relatively unchanged, Sellers said that the amount of riders that drove without a motorcycle endorsement went up.

Of the 1,829 citations written in 2016, the bulletin said that 23 percent of them had a charge of driving without a license or proper motorcycle endorsement.

Sellers said drivers who wish to operate a motorcycle should seek proper training through Motorcycle Ohio. Motorcycle Ohio features multiple training courses across the state that can help those who seek to become properly licensed, according to Sellers.

While encouraging motorcycle safety, Sellers also cautioned drivers of other vehicles to be responsible on the road. He said to give motorcyclists a full lane of travel, look for motorcyclists before making a lane change, and to allow plenty of space in front of the vehicle for riders.

“Motorcycle safety is not solely the responsibility of motorcyclists,” Sellers said. “It is very important for motor vehicle drivers to be aware there will be an increase of motorcyclists on the roadways.”

INFORMATION FROM THE OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL