US - Motorcycle Fatalities Drop in 2009

A recent report indicates that motorcycling fatalities in the U.S.A. dropped by at least 10 percent in 2009, which is the first decline in 12 years, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports. Based on preliminary data, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), which represents the state highway safety offices nationwide, projects that motorcycling deaths declined from 5,290 in 2008 to 4,762 or fewer in 2009. The projection is based on data collected from the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

2,294 motorcyclists were killed in 1998, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which gathers its data from the same sources as the GHSA. That number increased steadily each year, reaching 5,290 in 2008.

The reasons for the decline in motorcycle fatalities in 2009 is not known, but worsening economic conditions causing fewer new riders, fewer miles ridden and casual riders selling their motorcycles could be supporting factors.