2009 MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES

 

 

QUICK FACTS

General Facts

In 2009, Illinois experienced a total of 124 fatal crashes involving motorcycles (motorcycles, motor scooters, motorbikes, mopeds, etc.), of which 122 crashes resulted in the death of 130 motorcycle operators and passengers. The other two crashes resulted in the deaths of two persons who were not riding motorcycles.

The 130 motorcyclists killed in 2009 account for over 14% of all motor vehicle fatalities. Motorcycle registrations, however, account for approximately 3% of all motor vehicles registered.

In 2009, there were 349,690 motorcycle registrations – an increase of over 76% when compared to the 198,444 motorcycle registrations in 1999. (Figures reported by the Secretary of State.)

The 130 motorcyclist fatalities in 2009 represent a 26% 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, less than 14% of the motorcyclists killed were 45 or older. By 2002, that percentage had escalated to 37%. In 2009, motorcyclists aged 45 or older accounted for over 39% of the motorcyclists killed. The oldest motorcycle fatality in 2009 was 78.

Almost 14% of the motorcyclist fatalities in 2009 were under the age of 25, with the youngest being 18. The average age of all the motorcyclists killed in 2009 was 40.

Over 86% of the motorcyclists killed were male.

Helmet Usage

Approximately 82% of the motorcyclists killed were NOT wearing a helmet.

Motorcycle Operator’s License

Over 80% of the 116 motorcycle operators killed in 2009 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 2009, 73 (59%) 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	2	0	1	1	1	3	1	9
3:00 am – 5:59 am	3	2	1	0	0	0	2	8
6:00 am – 8:59 am	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	3
9:00 am – 11:59 am	3	1	0	3	0	1	3	11
Noon – 2:59 pm	4	0	2	2	0	3	8	19
3:00 pm – 5:59 pm	11	3	2	6	4	4	6	36
6:00 pm – 8:59 pm	5	1	0	1	0	7	9	23
9:00 pm – 11:59 pm	2	2	1	1	3	5	1	15
TOTAL	30	9	7	14	9	24	31	124

73 (56%) of the 130 motorcycle-related fatalities in 2009 died from crashes that occurred during May, July, and August. An additional 29 (22%) died from crashes in June and September.

Alcohol

41 (35%) of the 116 motorcycle operators killed in 2009 had been drinking. While the age of the impaired operators ranged from 22 to 67, almost 49% of them were aged 40-49.

The BAC results for the impaired motorcycle operators tested in 2009 ranged from 0.02 to 0.28, with the average BAC being 0.14.

All but one of the 41 impaired motorcycle operators killed were male.

Only one of the impaired operators killed, a male with a BAC of 0.16, wore a helmet.

27 (66%) 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	0	0	1	1	1	3	1	7
3:00 am – 5:59 am	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1
6:00 am – 8:59 am	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	2
9:00 am – 11:59 am	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Noon – 2:59 pm	0	0	0	1	0	1	2	4
3:00 pm – 5:59 pm	6	0	0	0	0	1	1	8
6:00 pm – 8:59 pm	2	1	0	0	0	3	3	9
9:00 pm – 11:59 pm	2	0	0	1	1	4	1	9
TOTAL	11	2	1	3	3	10	9	41

 

 

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 five counties having the highest number of motorcyclists killed in 2009 were:

County	# Killed
Cook	32
Winnebago	12
Kane	7
Madison	4
St. Clair	4

 

Other Factors

Weather and roadway surface condition are generally not factors in crashes that result in motorcycle fatalities. In 2009, approximately 93% of such crashes occurred in clear weather, on dry pavement.

The driver-related factors reported most frequently in 2009 for fatal motorcycle crashes were:

Under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.

Driver has not complied with physical or other imposed license restrictions.

Passing with insufficient distance or inadequate visibility.

Operating vehicle in erratic, reckless, or negligent manner.

Failure to obey actual traffic signs or controls.

 

Additional Statistics

Crash Data at a Glance

Fatality Trends (1998-2009)