WESTWOOD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Motorcyclist fatalities are at their highest number in nearly 50 years, according to a report issued by AAA Northeast. As the summer months bring an increase in fatal crashes involving motorcycles, now is the time for all road users to act to keep themselves and others safe.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2022, the last available year of data. That’s the highest number since the federal government began keeping records in 1975, and NHTSA’s early estimates for 2023 show a 2% increase in motorcyclist traffic fatalities over 2022.

Fatal crashes involving motorcycles soar in the summer months: Over the past decade, nearly 50% of fatal crashes involving motorcycles occurred in June, July, August and September.

There were 62 motorcyclist fatalities across the state in 2023, according to the Massachusetts IMPACT Crash Data Portal. To date, 17 motorcyclists have been killed in crashes in 2024.

“Motorcyclist fatalities continue to trend in the wrong direction,” said Mark Schieldrop, Senior Spokesperson, AAA Northeast. “Especially during the summer months, drivers must keep in mind that motorcycles’ size and visibility create unique challenges that require increased awareness.”

According to NHTSA, motorcyclists were about 22 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were four times more likely to be injured per vehicle mile traveled in 2022.

AAA offers the following tips for drivers:

  • Increase following distance and take extra care when driving behind a motorcyclist, especially when stopping or accelerating.
  • Carefully check mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles, which are less visible than other vehicles on the road.
  • If a motorcyclist has its turn signal on, wait to make sure that the rider actually turns before passing them. The turn signals on many motorcycles do not turn off automatically, so there’s a chance they could be activated from an earlier turn.
  • Never drive distracted. At 55 mph, taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds is equivalent to driving the length of an entire football field blindfolded.