Motorcycle injuries, deaths increase

Among riders over 40, the increase is really dramatic.
McClatchy Newspapers
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's motorcycle mishap offers a glimpse at a much larger safety trend -- the number of people injured and killed in motorcycle accidents has gone up considerably in the past decade.
In 2004, an estimated 76,000 riders were injured and a confirmed 4,008 died in motorcycle crashes, compared with 57,000 injuries and 2,320 deaths in 1994, according to the U.S. agency that regulates auto safety.
The increase is particularly dramatic among riders over age 40 -- 1,847 died in 2004 compared with 541 in 1994, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Why the increase?
Federal safety officials don't fully understand the age trend since older folks tend to be safer drivers. But at least part of it is a function of demographics -- more new riders are coming into the hobby later in life and longtime riders are aging. Plus, there are more bikes on the road.
Schwarzenegger, 58, was riding his motorcycle near his Los Angeles home last Sunday with son Patrick, 12, in tow in the bike's sidecar, both wearing helmets.
Another driver backed out of a driveway in the governor's path and he didn't have enough time to avoid the collision. The governor needed 15 stitches to patch up a cut lip.
NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson said in multi-vehicle crashes -- about half of motorcycle accidents involve only the bike -- nearly 80 percent are the fault of the driver of the other vehicle.