MS is ‘most dangerous’ state for motorcycle riders, report finds. It’s not due to lack of helmets
Despite making up a small percentage of registered vehicles in the United States, motorcycles are often involved in fatal crashes, and Mississippi leads the list of dangerous states for motorcyclists, a recent report found.
The state had the highest rate of deadly motorcycle crashes in 2023, at 189 fatalities, according to an analysis of the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by personal injury law firm Big Auto Accident Attorneys.
The law firm analyzed data from the NHTSA and the Federal Highway Administration to determine which states are the least safe for motorcycle riders.
Which states are the most dangerous for motorcyclists?
These are the top 10 most dangerous states for motorcycle riders and the total fatalities per capita of registered motorcycles, according to the report:
1. Mississippi: 189
2. Texas: 179
3. Missouri: 129
4. South Carolina: 120
5. North Carolina: 117
6. Kentucky: 112
7. Hawaii: 107
8. Florida: 106
9. Tennessee: 99
10. New Mexico: 95
What causes deadly motorcycle crashes in Mississippi?
Some might assume that motorcycle fatalities are most often caused by reckless driving, however, data shows that’s not the main cause.
In Mississippi, motorcyclists were wearing a helmet in about 79% of deadly crashes, and about 83% of fatalities didn’t involve alcohol, according to Big Auto Accident Attorneys’ analysis.
It’s also against the law to ride a motorcycle or motor scooter on public roads in Mississippi without a helmet.
So why does Mississippi have the most fatalities? Nic Edgson, CEO and managing attorney at Big Auto Accident Attorneys, said he sees a number of contributing factors.
“Mississippi’s ranking may be due to their roads’ poor lighting, wildlife crossings, and drivers unaccustomed to motorcycles, combined with emergency response times that turn survivable crashes into fatalities,” Edgson said.
How to be safe while riding a motorcycle
Here are some tips for staying safe while riding a motorcycle, according an analysis of safety trends by Edgson:
- Stay visible
- Maintain defensive positioning
- Be aware of the weather
- Position yourself well in the lane
- Keep your motorcycle in good mechanical condition
