Delaware Fatal Crash Statistics
The small state of Delaware has only 3 counties; New Castle, Kent, and Sussex County. Although New Castle had the highest amount of all three counties for the total number of traffic accident deaths that includes pedestrian, vehicle, and motorcycles, it had the least of the reported motorcycle rider deaths. Both Sussex and Kent counties each reported 6 to 15 rider deaths, while New Castle County reported 1 to 5 deaths. The highest populated county is Kent County with approximately 172,000, followed by New Castle with approximately 553,000.
Delaware, unfortunately, saw an increase in 2015 in the number of rider deaths. In 2014, 15 deaths occurred, while in 2015, 19 deaths occurred. From 2007 to 2010, the state saw a drop in the number of fatalities, but from 2011 to 2015, the numbers reached the highest they have been in the last decade.
Of those riders who were killed in accidents, 13 were wearing helmets and 6 were not. Delaware law requires anyone under the age of 19 to wear an approved helmet. The law goes on to state that anyone operating or riding on a motorcycle shall have in possession an approved safety helmet, but it does not state that they wear it.
In 2015, age group 50 to 59 had the most rider fatalities with 5 deaths, the highest number of deaths over the prior five-year period. Age group 20 and under had the least fatalities with one death. In 2014, ages 59 and older had the highest number of fatalities, and in 2013, ages 20 to 29 had the most motorcycle fatalities with 6. The age brackets have no consistency when it comes to motorcycle fatalities statistics, but the total number has increased from 2014 to 2015.