What are the traffic statistics on motorcycle accidents?

Motorcycle rider fatalities as well as registrations have been on the rise since 1997. A recent report card issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for 2004 says that 4008 motorcyclists died in 2004 and 76,000 were injured. About half of all motorcycles involved in a fatal crash collided with another vehicle. A little over one-third of cyclists that died were speeding, approximately twice the rate for drivers of passenger vehicles or light trucks. Almost half of the fatal accidents show alcohol involvement. One out of four motorcycle operators that were involved in fatal crashes had an invalid license. Helmets saved approximately 1158 lives in 2003; another 640 lives could have saved if helmets were worn.  more