California Fatal Motorcycle Crash Statistics
The Golden State had 462 motorcyclist occupants that were killed in roadway crashes in 2015. Unfortunately, 22 were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident, though this is a decrease from the 24 unhelmeted riders who died in 2014. The NHTSA estimates that an estimated 260 lives were saved by helmet use in 2015.
California law states that any rider, driver, and passenger on a motorcycle are required to wear a helmet. Obeying the state laws that are set for vehicle and motorcycle operators can potentially save lives and continue to reduce the number of unhelmeted motorcycle fatalities.
California motorcycle data from the FHWA present an age group that unfortunately dominates the fatality statistics. Every year from 2011 until 2015, the 20 to 29-year-old age group has dominated the motorcycle fatality findings. In 2011, this specific age group had 115 deaths, in 2012, it had 114 deaths, in 2013, it had 132 deaths, in 2014, it had 175 fatalities, and in 2015, the group had 156 fatalities. 2015 does show a decrease in deaths from the prior year, but officials, as well as law enforcement, must take action if these numbers continue to remain at such high levels.
California is the most populous state in the entire U.S. with over 37 million people calling it home. California is composed of 58 counties. Of the 58 counties, 10 counties reported 0 motorcycle fatalities. 27 counties in the Golden state reported 1 to 5 fatalities, and 14 counties reported 6 to 15 motorcycle fatalities each. 2 counties reported that 26 to 35 fatalities occurred in each, and San Diego County presented 36 to 45 deaths. The county that reported the most motorcycle fatalities in the year 2015 was Los Angeles County with an estimated 56 plus motorcycle fatalities. Los Angeles is the most populous county in the state with approximately 10 million people residing there.