General Facts
In 2008, Illinois experienced a total of 130 fatal crashes
involving motorcycles (motorcycles, motor scooters,
motorbikes, mopeds, etc.), of which 125 crashes resulted
in the death of 135 motorcycle operators and passengers.
The other 5 crashes resulted in the deaths of 5 persons
who were not riding motorcycles.
The 135 motorcyclists killed in 2008 account for
approximately 13% of all motor vehicle fatalities.
Motorcycle registrations, however, account for less than
4% of all motor vehicles registered.
In 2008, there were 355,829 motorcycle registrations an
increase of 79% when compared to the 198,444 motorcycle
registrations in 1999.
The 135 motorcycle fatalities in 2008 represent a 31%
increase compared to the 103 motorcyclists killed in 1999.
Age and Gender of Motorcyclists Killed
Since 1999, motorcyclists aged 45 or older have
experienced the greatest increase in fatalities of any age
group. In 1999, 14% of the motorcycle fatalities were 45
or older. By 2008, motorcyclists aged 45 or older
accounted for 40% of the motorcyclists killed. The oldest
motorcycle fatality in 2008 was 83.
13% of the motorcyclist fatalities in 2008 were under the
age of 25. The youngest was 14.
90% of the motorcyclists killed were male.
Helmet Usage
Over 75% of the motorcyclists killed were NOT wearing a
helmet.
Motorcycle Operators License
78% of the 123 motorcycle operators killed in 2008 were
licensed to operate a motorcycle.
When Motorcyclists Are Killed
Generally, the hours of 6:00 p.m. on Friday through 11:59
p.m. on Sunday are deadlier for motorcyclists than other
periods of the week. In 2008, 63 (48%) of the fatal
crashes involving motorcycles occurred during the weekend.
|
|
Day of
Week |
|
Time of
Day |
Sun |
Mon |
Tues |
Wed |
Thurs |
Fri |
Sat |
TOTAL |
|
Midnight 2:59 am |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
10 |
|
3:00 am 5:59 am |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
|
6:00 am 8:59 am |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
9:00 am 11:59 am |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
12 |
|
Noon 2:59 pm |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
12 |
|
3:00 pm 5:59 pm |
6 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
34 |
|
6:00 pm 8:59 pm |
9 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
25 |
|
9:00 pm 11:59 pm |
1 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
9 |
28 |
|
TOTAL |
25 |
17 |
14 |
15 |
13 |
15 |
31 |
130 |
50% of the motorcycle fatalities in 2008 died from crashes that
occurred during June, July, and August. An additional 41%
died from crashes in April, May, September, and October.
Alcohol
54 (44%) of the 123 motorcycle operators killed in 2008 had been
drinking. Of the 54 impaired operators: 89% were aged
21-54; all were males; only 13% wore helmets.
36 (64%) of the fatal crashes involving impaired motorcycle
operators occurred between 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 11:59
p.m. on Sunday.
|
|
Day of
Week |
|
Time of
Day |
Sun |
Mon |
Tues |
Wed |
Thurs |
Fri |
Sat |
TOTAL |
|
Midnight 2:59 am |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
|
3:00 am 5:59 am |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
6:00 am 8:59 am |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
9:00 am 11:59 am |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Noon 2:59 pm |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
3:00 pm 5:59 pm |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
10 |
|
6:00 pm 8:59 pm |
7 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
12 |
|
9:00 pm 11:59 pm |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
8 |
19 |
|
TOTAL |
11 |
6 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
10 |
18 |
56 |
Where More Motorcyclists Were Killed
In general, more motor vehicle fatalities occur in the more
densely populated northeast area of the state than in any
other region in Illinois. The seven counties having the
highest number of motorcyclists killed in 2008 were:
|
County |
# Killed |
|
Cook |
35 |
|
Will |
8 |
|
Champaign |
6 |
|
McHenry |
6 |
|
Ogle |
5 |
|
Madison |
4 |
|
St. Clair |
4 |
Other Factors
Weather and roadway surface condition are generally not factors in
crashes that result in motorcycle fatalities. In 2008,
approximately 93% of such crashes occurred in clear
weather, on dry pavement.
The driver-related factors reported most frequently in 2008 for
fatal motorcycle crashes were:
Under the
influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication
Operating vehicle in careless or inattentive manner
Failure to
keep in proper lane.
Additional Statistics
Crash Data at a Glance
Alcohol Fatalities
Fatality
Trends (1998-2009)
