Tulsa motorcyclists know the signs of a driver not paying attention. Riders with experience can often steer clear of these drivers, but sometimes it’s impossible to dodge their careless actions and avoid a dangerous impact. Riders see hazardous drivers on busy interstates like I-244 and on 2-lane roads like Route 66.
Ylla|Gosney Attorneys at Law is an advocate for safer motorcycle rides in 2024. We wanted to spotlight recent motorcycle accident numbers in Tulsa to serve as a reminder to all local motorists. Hopefully, the shocking numbers will convince local drivers to slow down and take notice of the motorcyclists around them. Maybe then, accident rates will fall.
How Many Tulsa Riders Are in Motorcycle Accidents Each Year?
Tulsa sees too many serious motorcycle accidents each year. In most cases, there’s a reckless driver who didn’t check mirrors or look closely enough before making a turn who is to blame.
According to data from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO), there were at least 165 motorcyclists involved in Tulsa traffic accidents in 2021. Those collisions led to at least 35 serious injuries. Over a recent five-year stretch, there were an average of 171 motorcyclists involved in accidents each year in the city.
The figures had fallen since the pandemic year of 2020 when fewer drivers were on the road. Yet, recently, figures have been trending back up. We await official 2022 and 2023 accident numbers to see if the unfortunate trend continues.
The resurgence of danger for motorcyclists seems to include fatal accidents as well. 2021 saw the loss of 10 precious lives in motorcycle crashes. That level of tragedy hadn’t been recorded in Tulsa since 2017.
What Age Group Suffers the Most Motorcycle Accidents in Tulsa?
Tulsa Police and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Officers respond to these frightening accidents every week. They see the true toll that a driver’s negligence can have on motorcyclists. Officers see the range of injuries that result from a collision involving a defenseless rider.
Investigators also document the names and ages of victims when they write up accident reports for motorcycle collisions. THE OSHO figures show that from age 20 to 35 riders are most susceptible to serious accidents on Tulsa roads. OSHO also reports that information on the ages of about a dozen victims was not provided.
Motorcyclists in their twenties were at the biggest risk for crashes in Tulsa. In 2021, there were 46 local motorcyclists involved in accidents.
How Many Motorcyclists Are Killed in U.S. Accidents?
In 2021 there were 5,932 motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents across the U.S. That’s according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) most recent data.
- 2021 recorded the highest death toll for riders since data collection started in 1975.
- Motorcycle collisions made up 14% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. for the year.
- Florida (651) was the state with the most motorcycle fatalities in 2021. California (565) and Texas (515) followed just behind. According to the National Safety Council’s (NSC) research, Oklahoma recorded around 80 deaths.
Oklahoma continues to see elevated motorcycle accident rates. Traffic authorities have continued to register over 1,200 motorcycle accidents a year over a recent four-year stretch. In 2021, there were almost 1,300 motorcycle collisions responded to, and at least 76 tragic deaths (OSHO figure) associated with those crashes.
In a tragic revelation, the NHTSA says that in 2021, around 80% of the fatal motorcycle crashes reported in our state involved a rider without a helmet on. That was the highest percentage in the country for motorcycle fatalities and helmet use.
Pushing for Improved Safety for Tulsa Motorcyclists
Unfortunately, confronting bad drivers with the sad truth about the toll they take on the local motorcycle community won’t be enough to bring about change. Tulsa leaders will need to do more to get the word out about the dangers motorcyclists face. Tulsa Police and the Highway Patrol will need to continue to crack down on reckless and careless drivers.
Unfortunately, drivers will continue to hit defenseless motorcyclists and riders will continue to face long and difficult recoveries. When these heartbreaking accidents occur, it’s critical that victims receive the support they need to heal and get back on their bikes again. A skilled Tulsa Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can help you seek justice and compensation after a collision. Please contact us to schedule a free case consultation if you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury.
