AAA: Motorcyclist fatalities surge in summer months

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Motorcyclist fatalities are at their highest number in nearly 50 years, according to a recent release from AAA.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2022.

The fatalities in 2022 are the highest number since the federal government began keeping records in 1975.

NHTSA’s early estimates for 2023 show a 2 percent increase in motorcyclist traffic fatalities over 2022.

Motorcyclist fatalities increase in the summer month.

In 2023, 16 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes across Rhode Island, according to the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association.

AAA offers the following tips for drivers:

• Increase following distance and take extra care when driving behind a motorcyclist, especially when stopping or accelerating;
• Carefully check mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles, which are less visible than other vehicles on the road;
• If a motorcyclist has its turn signal on, wait to make sure that the rider actually turns before passing them. The turn signals on many motorcycles do not turn off automatically, so there’s a chance they could be activated from an earlier turn;
• Never drive distracted. At 55 mph, taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds is equivalent to driving the length of an entire football field blindfolded.