Motorcyclists know they must take every precaution possible when on the road. Whether commuting to and from work or school or enjoying a scenic weekend ride, the actions of other motorists expose them to serious dangers.
Even the most seasoned rider may experience an accident, as shown in the records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Louisiana’s motorcyclist fatalities by age
Looking at the five years spanning 2014 through 2018, the NHTSA indicates that riders in their 50s or older comprised the largest number of motorcyclist fatalities across Louisiana. In that time, 147 bikers 50 and over died in accidents statewide. Another 100 riders in their 30s died in that same time, followed by 95 motorcyclists in their 20s and 92 bikers in their 40s.
Total biker deaths in Louisiana
In 2014, a total of 83 motorcyclists were killed in crashes on Louisiana roads and highways. That number increased for the following three consecutive years. In 2015, biker deaths numbers 91. In 2016, they numbered 94. Finally, in 2017, 97 riders perished across the state. Fortunately, 2018 saw a decline in motorcyclist fatalities to 79.
Dangers posed by other drivers
While MotorBiscuit acknowledges that things like road surfaces or weather conditions may factor into a biker’s safety, many of the dangers riders must navigate come in the form of cars, trucks and other vehicles on the road.
Many motorcycle accidents result from scenarios in which another vehicle attempts to make a turn into the path of the biker, open a parked car door in front of an oncoming rider or change lanes without noticing a motorcycle.
