Oklahoma Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Oklahoma reported a total of 643 traffic fatalities for 2015. The state has a rate of 16.44 per 100,000 population as compared to the national average of 10.92. Fourteen percent of these fatalities were from motorcycles with 89 deaths for the year. This number is a significant increase from 2014 when 57 were recorded. The year before that was more in line with the current rate at 92 for 2013.
South Dakota has a state law which requires anyone 17 years and younger to wear a helmet. However, riders over 18 do not have to wear one, which explains the low rate of helmet use for those who are in motorcycle crashes. In 2015, 62 people did not wear helmets while 26 did. This shows a 30 percent rate for helmet use. For the year, 15 people were saved because of wearing a helmet. Another 23 could have been saved if the rate of use was at 100 percent.
The majority of fatalities in 2015 were between the ages of 20 and 29 with 22 deaths. Another 20 were between the ages of 50 and 59. Only 13 were over the age of 59 while five were under 20 years of age. Around half of the counties in Oklahoma had at least one fatality but fewer than six. Two counties showed a much higher rate with more than 16 deaths for the year.
Oklahoma County reported 18 deaths for 2015, which was up from 10 fatalities the year before. This number was the highest for the five year reporting period. Tulsa County came in just slightly behind with 17 fatalities. However, it was almost double the previous year, which recorded nine. The years before that were more in line with the current statistics.