Texas Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Texas reported a total of 3516 traffic deaths for 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This number reflects a rate per 100,000 population of 12.80 for the state. This is slightly higher than the national average of 10.92. Motorcycle deaths make up 13 percent of the total, which is 443 for the year. This number is down slightly from previous years.
A state helmet law in Texas requires all riders age 20 and younger to wear a helmet at all times. Those over the age of 20 may not be required to wear a helmet if they can show proof of medical coverage or successful completion of a safety course. The result is that just over half of the riders in fatal motorcycle accidents did not wear helmets. The total is 47 percent helmet usage for 2015, which saved 122 lives. Another 88 people may have been saved if the total usage had been 100 percent. These numbers are consistent with the previous years.
The majority of people killed in motorcycle accidents were between the ages of 20 and 29 with 118 total. This contrasts dramatically with 10 killed who were under age 20. The age groups 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 each reported more than 80 deaths while 61 people died who were over the age of 59.
About half of the counties in Texas reported at least one motorcycle death for 2015. Several had more than six but fewer than 16 while two counties reported between 16 and 25 deaths. One county recorded between 26 and 35 deaths, one county had between 36 and 45 deaths and one county had between 46 and 55 motorcycle-related fatalities for the year. Harris County tops the list with 46 fatalities for the year, which is a slight decrease from past years. In second place, Dallas County reported 41 deaths, which is an increase over the 35 reported in 2014.