While motorcycle deaths on Texas roads have been on a steady decline since 2017, data collected by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) show that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a sharp reversal. Below we break down Texas motorcycle fatalities data by year for 2012-2021.

Quick Facts

  • Motorcycle fatalities jumped during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing nearly 17% between 2019 and 2020 and another 7% over the course of 2020
  • On average, 1.3 motorcyclists die every day on Texas roads
  • Nearly one in three motorcycle fatalities happens at a roadway intersection
  • The National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of a crash fatality by 37%
  • A Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) study found that motorcycle helmets are 67% effective in preventing brain injuries and that motorcyclists without helmets who are involved in crashes were three times more likely to suffer brain injuries
  • Of the 4,735 motorcycle fatalities in Texas between 2012 and 2021, 50% (2,366) of the riders were not wearing a helmet

Texas Motorcycle Deaths by Year

texas motorcycle deaths by year

Year Motorcycle Fatalities
2012 471
2013 503
2014 468
2015 464
2016 500
2017 498
2018 419
2019 413
2020 482
2021 517

What TxDOT is Doing To Improve Motorcycle Safety

The “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign by TXDOT encourages drivers across the state to be vigilant and double-check for motorcycles, particularly at intersections, which are the prime locations for motorcycle accidents. Below are some safety tips it has provided in order to better educate drivers on sharing the road with motorcyclists:

  • Take extra care when making a left turn—it is safest to let the motorcycle pass to avoid turning in front of the rider
  • Pay special attention at intersections, because nearly one in three motorcycle fatalities happens at a roadway intersection
  • Give driving your full attention—even a momentary distraction, such as answering a phone call or changing the radio station, can have deadly consequences
  • Look twice when changing lanes, check mirrors and blind spots, and always use turn signals
  • Give motorcycles room when passing them—move over to the passing lane and don’t crowd the motorcyclist’s full lane
  • If you’re behind a motorcycle, stay back and always maintain a safe following distance—when a motorcyclist downshifts instead of applying the brake to slow down, it can catch drivers off guard, since there are no brake lights to signal reduced speed
  • Slow down and obey posted speed limits and drive to conditions

If you or a loved one are the victim of a serious motorcycle accident, contact the Roach Law Firm today. Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers will provide you with a free consultation as soon as possible.