Following the start of Motorcycle Awareness month 2022, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have released a new report examining motorcycle crash data between 2012 and 2021.
During that decade, the OPP responded to 326 fatal motorcycle crashes. Those crashes resulted in the deaths of 342 motorcyclists.
By taking a closer look at this data, the OPP hope it may help to reduce the number of fatal crashes in the future.
Motorcyclists At Fault in 60.7 Percent of the Fatal Crashes
According to a report in the Blackburn News, the OPP examined the cumulative data from all of the fatal motorcycle crashes from the last decade to learn more about who was responsible. That report revealed that 60.7 percent of the time, the motorcyclists who died in the crash were also the at-fault driver.
In 39.3 percent of these crashes, drivers of other vehicles were determined to be at fault.
Other relevant details revealed about these motorcycle crashes from the last decade include:
- 120 of these fatal collisions involved a single motorcycle
- The other fatal crashes, causing 222 more deaths, had at least one other vehicle involved
- Percentage-wise, most riders in these fatal crashes were between the ages of 45 and 54
What Were the Leading Causes of These Crashes?
The leading causes of these fatal motorcycle crashes from the past decade are not unexpected or new. The ongoing and primary contributing factors of deadly motorcycle crashes each year are:
- Excessive speeding
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Driver distraction/not paying attention to the road
Road Safety is the Responsibility of Every Driver
The OPP reminds motorcyclists and drivers that road safety is everyone’s duty and includes:
- Sharing the road responsibly
- Following posted speed limits
- Not driving while impaired by alcohol or other substances
- Not engaging in dangerous distracted driving behaviour
Unfortunately, because of the inherent vulnerability of those who ride a motorcycle, there is zero room for driving errors. This means remaining watchful for potential hazards, including sudden weather changes that could affect road safety.
If you are a newer motorcycle rider, or even one with years of experience, the OPP encourages you to read/review these motorcycle safety tips.
Injured in a Crash? Contact Our Trusted Legal Team Today
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your damages.
Contact the legal team at Greg Monforton and Partners to learn about your legal options and get answers to your questions. Our Windsor car crash lawyers are experienced and ready to help.
Call to schedule your completely FREE case review today. There is no obligation to hire our services after this meeting and no upfront costs if we represent you.
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