Wisconsin Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics
According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Wisconsin reported 566 traffic fatalities for the year 2015. This number reflects a rate per 100,000 population of 9.81, which is below the national average of 10.92. Of this total, 14 percent were motorcycle-related with 81 deaths for the year. This number is an increase over the 73 reported in 2014, but it was down slightly from the 85 reported in 2013.
The large majority of motorcycle deaths involved victims who were not wearing a helmet at the time. Wisconsin does have a state helmet law for those age 17 and under. Anyone with a driver’s permit is required to wear a helmet regardless of age. The state had a 19 percent helmet usage for these fatalities in 2015, which is down from 28 percent just a year prior. Wearing a helmet is estimated to have saved nine lives during the year, but 100 percent usage could have saved another 24 lives.
The majority of deaths were in the 50-59 age bracket with 21 while 18 were over the age of 59. Another 16 were between the ages of 20 and 29 while there were 14 deaths in the 40-49 group and 11 in the 30-39 age group. Only one death occurred for those in the under 20 age group.
About half of the counties in Wisconsin reported at least one motorcycle-related death in 2015 with most of them having fewer than six for the year. Most of these counties were in the southern part of the state. Three counties reported a higher number of deaths. Dunn County reported two for the year which was double 2014 while Racine County also doubled the numbers with six. Milwaukee County came in with the highest number for the year with 15.