Exceptionally vulnerable vehicle operators
Because they are smaller, less stable on the road, more susceptible to poor road and weather conditions and without protection surrounding occupants or restraint systems, motorcycles are inherently more dangerous to operate and occupy than other types of motorized vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 50-60 motorcycle riders per every 100,000 were killed each year from 2010-2019 and about 1000 per every 100,000 were injured in an accident each year in the same time frame. Without restraints or the protection of a vehicle frame, motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to injuries or fatality when involved in even minor or low speed collisions, yet only 18 states have universal helmet laws.