Maine Motorcycle Fatality Statistics
Maine reported a total of 32 deaths involving motorcycle crashes in 2015. This number is a dramatic increase, almost triple the number in 2014 when there were 11. There were also only 14 in 2013 and 24 in 2012.
Of those deaths in 2015, the majority did not wear a helmet with only eight having one on. The other 24 did not wear a helmet. Maine does have a partial helmet law, which requires any riders 17 and under to wear a helmet. The law includes passengers as well if the operator is required to have a helmet on.
The rate for helmet usage in 2015 was only 25 percent, which was a major decline from 64 percent in 2014. Five lives were saved in 2015 because of helmet wear, but another nine could have been saved if the rate went up to 100 percent.
The state had 51,623 registered motorcycles in 2014 with a fatality rate per 100,000 of 21.31. This number is following a declining trend for Maine.
The majority of victims in motorcycle crash fatalities in 2015 were in the 20-29 age range or 50-59 age range with eight each. Only one death occurred for those under age 20.
All but two counties in Maine reported at least one motorcycle fatality in 2015, but none recorded more than five. The two counties with none were Lincoln and Knox, both located in the southern portion of the state and right next to each other.
The largest county in geological size, Aroostook County, reported two deaths for the year after having one for the previous two years. Cumberland County, in the southern part of the state, had four for the year after having one for 2014.