Kansas Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Kansas reported a total of 355 fatalities on the roadways in 2015. Of those, 44 involved motorcycles,according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This number is down slightly from 2014 when there were 48 deaths reported on motorcycles. However, the total has increased from 2013, which had 35. There have been slight fluctuations each year since 2006 when the total was 64. The state is higher than the national average for traffic deaths per 100,000 population at 12.19. The US average is 10.92.
Out of the 44 motorcycle-related deaths, only 15 were wearing their helmets. In both 2015 and 2014, 28 people who died were not wearing helmets, which is almost twice the number who wore one. The total has dropped from 2006 when 43 deaths involved a person not wearing a helmet. Kansas state law requires drivers or passengers on a motorcycle under the age of 17 to wear a helmet.
Nine lives were saved in 2015 with the current use of helmets, which is at 35 percent. If 100 percent of drivers and passengers wore a helmet, an additional 11 lives could be saved. The majority of people who died in motorcycle crashes were over the age of 59 with 15 deaths reported. Seven people died between the ages of 20 and 29, 30 and 39, and 40 and 49. Six people who died were between 50 and 59 with two people under the age of 20. This information shows that a fatality can happen at any age even if the person is cautious. Motorcycles are at a higher risk for fatal accidents because of the lack of protection, especially out on the highways. Sedgwick County reported the highest number of fatal accidents with motorcycles at seven for 2015, which is a significant increase from the four reported in 2014.