In Virginia, motorcycles make up about two percent of all registered vehicles, yet in 2009, they accounted for nine percent of total fatalities, ten percent of all occupant fatalities, and three percent of all occupants injured, according to Richard Holcomb, the Governor's Highway Safety Representative.
For every mile traveled by motorcyclists there chances of dying in a traffic crash is 37 times more likely that passenger car occupants. This is because there is no protection on a motorcycle, which increases the likelihood of being seriously injured or even killed in a crash.
In 2009, there were 71 motorcycle fatalities and 1,938 reported injuries in Virginia alone. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Highway Safety Office announced last week that law enforcement agencies across Virginia will focus more on the safety of motorcycle riders by enforcing stricter traffic laws. The traffic laws that will be enforced are speeding, improper licensure and drinking and riding.
