http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/crash.htm

Motorcyclist fatalities in single vehicle motorcycle crashes decreased each year from 1990 to 1996, reaching a historic low of 937 in 1996 and again in 1997. In 1998, the fatalities increased to 1,042 (11.2 percent increase); in 1998 and in 1999 they increased to 1,140 (9.4 percent). The overall increase in motorcyclist fatalities from 1997 to 1999 was 203 (21.7 percent).

Report Conclusions: Findings from the FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) data illustrate possible reasons for motorcyclist fatalities in single vehicle motorcycle crashes:

Helmet use among fatally injured motorcyclists below 50 percent

More motorcyclist fatalities are occurring on rural roads

High blood alcohol levels are a major problem among motorcycle operators

Half of the fatalities are related to negotiating a curve prior to the crash

Over 80 percent of the fatalities occur off roadway

Undivided roadways account for a majority of the fatalities

Almost two thirds of the fatalities were associated with speeding as an operator contributing factor in the crash

Almost 60 percent of motorcyclist fatalities occur at night

Collision with a fixed object is a significant factor in over half of the fatalities

Braking and steering maneuvers possibly contribute for almost 25 percent of the fatalities

More riders age 40 and over are getting killed

Almost one third of the fatally injured operators did not have a proper license

That shit is hard to ignore.