Motorbikes have long held a special place in the hearts of Canadian thrill enthusiasts and adventure seekers. According to a vehicle registration report from Statistics Canada, the number of motorcycle registrations (for road use) increased by 2.7% – from 729,687 reported in 2017 to 749,306 registered in 2020. Motorcycle registrations roared to record levels in 2021, with 9% more Canadians humming along on motorcycles or mopeds compared to about a year earlier.
However, motorcycle riding comes with a fair share of risks, particularly when it comes to road collisions. Understanding these traffic accident risks and assessing them can provide valuable insights into the causes and impact of motorbike accidents. Also, these insights can help ensure road safety and prevent motorcycle accidents.
How Common are Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle crashes have been a cause for concern in recent years. Reports show that there were 8,475 motorbike accidents reported across the country in 2023. This represents an approximately 9% increase compared to the motorcycle collisions reported in the previous year (2022). Sadly, 11% of these traffic accidents resulted in fatalities.
In Ontario Province, motorcycle accidents are still a cause of traffic safety concern. A total of 3,876 motorcycle accidents were reported in 2023 – a 6% increase from the crashes reported in 2022. This accounts for about 17% of all motor vehicle accidents recorded in the province in the same year. Unfortunately, 8.7% of these crashes resulted in fatalities.
Narrowing to Toronto, motorcycle-related crashes are a significant concern. The city recorded 1,979 motorcycle accidents in 2023. This is about a 23% increase compared to the number of similar accidents reported in the previous year. Approximately 7.8% of these crashes were fatal.
Motorcycle Accident Trends
To understand these motorcycle accident statistics, it’s important to compare motorcycle accident data recorded in recent years. The total number of motorcycle crashes in Ontario has fluctuated over the years. Approximately 1,200 crashes were recorded in 2017, about 1,150 accidents were reported in 2018, and 1,300 crashes were recorded in 2019. 2020 recorded the lowest number of motorcycle accidents.
Fatalities associated with these accidents were varied, but there isn’t a clear downward or upward trend. For instance, 50 motorcycle fatalities were reported in 2017, 48 fatalities in 2018, 55 fatalities in 2019, and 40 in 2020. During the same period, severe injuries decreased from 300 reported in 2017 to 250 recorded in 2020. This indicates potential improvements in motorcycle safety measures and awareness.
The trend in motorcycle accidents in Toronto suggests that while there are fluctuations in the total number of motorcycle crashes, there has been significant effort to limit severe injuries. However, it’s crucial to continue monitoring and addressing the key factors that may be contributing to fatalities. This can help improve motorcycle safety in the province.
Fatalities in Motorcycle Accidents
A report released by Transport Canada shows that 242 motorcycle and moped riders died in 2020. This number includes motorcycle drivers and their passengers (if any). It is the highest number of motorcycle fatalities recorded in over two decades. Also, it represents a 24% increase from the motorcycle accident fatalities reported in 2019.
In the previous years, the number of motorbike-related deaths fluctuated by 17% or less year to year. However, the sharp increase recorded in 2019-2020 may partially be explained by the rise in number of deaths among motorcycle riders aged 25-39 years and 60-75 years. Note that there has been an increase in motorcycle fatalities involving these age groups.
Sure, different measures have been implemented to reduce traffic accidents, including safety programs, legislation, safety features for bikes, driving courses, motorcycle gear, and more. However, riders continue to be one of the most vulnerable road users. They represent only 2% of all Canadian road users, but motorcycle-related fatalities account for more than 10% of all road-related deaths.
Rider and Passenger Fatalities
Approximately one in nine motorcycle deaths involved the deceased riding with another person. Carrying a passenger on a bike increases the total weight. This affects the motorcycle’s overall balance, and so the rider must adapt accordingly. In fact, the driver’s position accounted for about 84% of all motorcycle-related fatalities, while only 6% were passengers.
Fatalities are Higher among Male Riders
While motorcyclist deaths affect both male and female riders, there’s a higher rate of deaths among male riders. The rate of motorcycle fatalities among males from 2016 to 2020 was 8.5 deaths per 1 million population. This is seven times higher than the rate of motorcycle fatalities among female riders. Note that this rate varies from one province to another.
Motorcycle Deaths are More Common in Certain Age Groups
The rate of fatalities linked to motorcycles was highest among riders aged 40 to 59 years. It was 7.1 deaths per 1 million population for riders aged 40 to 59 years, 6.7 deaths per 1 million population for riders aged 25 to 39 years, and 5.0 deaths per 1 million population for riders aged 60 to 79 years. Note that the average rate of motorcycle fatalities in other age groups was approximately 4.8 deaths per 1 million population.
The trend (based on age group) of motorbike-related deaths differs from the rate of fatalities associated with passenger vehicles. For instance, the age-specific passenger vehicle fatality rate was significantly lower among users aged 15 years or younger and those aged 40 years to 59 years. However, it was higher among users aged 16 years to 24 years and among users aged 80 years or older.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and How to Address Them
Here are the top causes of motorcycle crashes in Ontario, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Single or Multi-Vehicle Events
A recent report from CCMED showed that more than half of fatalities related to motorcycle crashes were a result of single-vehicle accidents or multi-vehicle collisions. Data from 2016 to 2020 reveals that 55% of motorcycle fatalities were linked to vehicle collisions, while 38% resulted from single-motorcycle events.
The most common vehicle-motorcycle collisions were intersection-related collisions that involved turns across opposing traffic or T-bone collisions. Note that a single-motorcycle crash may result from loss of bike control. This is often associated with the rider’s actions. On the other hand, multi-vehicle collisions may result from the rider’s actions or other road users’ actions.
Based on the CCMED report, highways and road intersections were the leading locations for motorbike accidents and related fatalities. Generally, motorbikes may not be always visible to the oncoming traffic because of their small size. Thus, motorcycle riders are less likely to be seen (especially from far away) by other drivers. That’s why motorbike accidents are common on highways and intersections.
Left-Turning Vehicles
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that left-turning cars and trucks are a safety risk for motorcycle riders. When vehicles make a left turn, they can cross into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, leading to fatal collisions. This risk is compounded by the smaller size of motorcycles, making them less visible to drivers, especially if the driver is not paying close attention.
It’s also risky when a motorcycle tries to pass a vehicle on the left. If the vehicle unexpectedly turns left, it can collide with the motorcycle. This situation is dangerous because the motorcyclist may not have enough time to react and avoid the crash.
Preventing a Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident
To mitigate these risks, motorcycle riders need to be extra vigilant. They should watch for signs that a vehicle might turn left, such as turn signals or a vehicle slowing down near an intersection. However, riders should not solely rely on these cues, as drivers might not always use their turn signals or could turn unexpectedly.
Motorcyclists must be aware of their surroundings at all times. This includes monitoring the behaviour of other vehicles and being prepared to react quickly to avoid accidents. By staying alert and anticipating the actions of others, motorcycle riders can enhance their safety on the roads.
Vehicles Changing Lanes
Vehicles changing lanes present a significant risk of accidents for motorcyclists due to the existence of blind spots. Most cars and trucks have areas on either side, often towards the rear, where the driver’s view is obstructed. This limited visibility can result in a driver failing to notice a nearby motorcycle, leading to potential motorcycle-car accidents when changing lanes.
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable because their smaller size makes them less visible compared to larger vehicles. Such visibility issues are worse in fast-moving traffic, where the time to react is minimal. This increases the likelihood of fatal crashes.
To prevent such collisions, motorcyclists are advised to stay away from the blind spots of other vehicles. Understanding and recognizing where these blind spots are can help riders avoid lingering in these dangerous areas. This can reduce the chance of being involved in lane-changing bike-car accidents.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the top factors contributing to motorcycle accidents in Ontario. Some motorcyclists or vehicle drivers operate their vehicles at speeds exceeding the recommended limit or at a rate that is not safe for current weather or road conditions. Unfortunately, speeding increases the risk of losing control and crashing into other road users.
Vehicles travelling at high speeds have limited manoeuvrability. This makes it challenging for the operator to respond quickly and safely to sudden changes in traffic, road obstacles, or unexpected road conditions.
For motorcycles, which inherently have less stability than four-wheeled vehicles, high speeds can lead to loss of control. This is especially true when riding during adverse weather conditions or on poorly maintained roads.
Additionally, the stopping distance for any vehicle increases significantly as speed rises. In emergencies, this extended stopping distance can mean the difference between a near-miss and a serious collision. Considering motorcyclists are more exposed and vulnerable than car passengers, the consequences of high-speed motorcycle-car accidents can be fatal.
Therefore, adhering to speed limits and adjusting speed for road and weather conditions is crucial for all motorists to maintain control of their vehicles and reduce the likelihood of bike-car accidents.
Lane Splitting
Also known as lane filtering, lane splitting happens when motorcycle riders navigate between lanes of slow-moving traffic. This tendency can lead to accidents, primarily because it may catch other drivers off guard. When motorcyclists ride between lanes, they are closer to other vehicles than usual, and this reduces the margin for error and the reaction time for both the motorcyclist and the vehicle drivers.
Dangers of Lane Splitting
Drivers who don’t anticipate motorcycles advancing through stopped or slow traffic in this manner might unintentionally shift their vehicle within their lane. This can increase the risk of colliding with the motorcycle.
Such movements can be a reflexive reaction to another event on the road or a simple adjustment within the lane, which, under normal circumstances, would be harmless but can be dangerous when a motorcycle is lane-splitting.
Additionally, the narrow space between vehicles leaves little room for motorcyclists to manoeuvre. This makes it difficult to avoid obstacles or react to sudden vehicle movements. The proximity to other vehicles also means that any contact, however minor, can result in the motorcyclist losing balance and control. This could lead to a higher risk of an accident.
Therefore, while lane splitting may save time, it significantly increases the risk of an accident. Motorcyclists should be aware of these risks and exercise caution. Drivers must also remain vigilant for motorcyclists, particularly in traffic jams or slow-moving traffic, to ensure road safety for all users.
Rider or Driver Impairment
Driver or rider impairment is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents. Impairment due to alcohol or drug consumption significantly alters a motorist’s or motorcyclist’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. As reported by MADD Canada, a significant percentage of fatal motor vehicle crashes involve impairment.
Alcohol-impaired drivers or riders may experience several detrimental effects that compromise road safety. These include impaired vision, which affects the ability to gauge distances and recognize traffic signals and hazards. Poor judgment is another consequence, leading to risky decisions such as speeding or disobeying traffic laws. Slowed reflexes reduce the ability to react swiftly to unexpected situations, while distracted driving makes it hard to maintain proper lane positioning or control of the vehicle.
Motorcycle riders require a higher level of balance and coordination than car drivers. That means the effects of impairment are even more pronounced. The reduced physical and cognitive capabilities make it challenging to manoeuvre the motorcycle. Thus, the motorcycle rider can easily hit passenger cars, leading to fatal injuries, particularly if the rider ignores motorcycle helmet use.
Riding Motorcycles Safely
To avoid crashes involving supersport bikes, standard motorcycles, and other motorists, you must understand all applicable rules regarding the ownership and operations of all registered motorcycles or registered vehicles.
Motorcycle accidents happen because of risk factors such as excessive speed. Unfortunately, when riders get involved in single-vehicle crashes, they are likely to suffer head injuries, brain injuries, or other serious injuries. These injuries are worse in head-on collisions involving riders with no motorcycle helmet.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
In a fatal crash involving a bike and passenger vehicles, motorcycle occupant fatalities are common. Remember, a recent report shows that the fatality rate of motorcycles is approximately 25.67 for every 100 million vehicle miles travelled. Various factors get motorcyclists killed on the roads, and this can be prevented. Here are tips to avoid putting yourself or other road users in dangerous situations that may lead to head-on collisions.
- Ensure you have a valid license
- Ensure you meet all insurance requirements
- Learn all helmet laws and helmet use regulations
- Obtain the right protective gear like a riding suit, reflective gear, gloves, motorcycle boots, and more
Conclusion
The most effective way to avoid motorcycle accidents is prevention. By understanding and following all road safety regulations, riders, drivers, and other road users can minimize the risk of collisions and improve highway safety for novice drivers and other users.