The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that there are approximately 8.8 million motorcyclists on the road in the United States, according to active registrations from each state. This number marks a sharp increase since 2002, which had only 4.3 million motorcyclists. This growing number is a concern for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as they’ve found that 15% of all traffic fatalities were motorcyclists. To put it in perspective, there are 1.13 passenger car fatalities for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled, compared to the rate for motorcyclists, which is 31.39 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled. Using data from the IIHS and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, CheapInsurance.com breaks down the difference in fatality rates by state, the factors that affect these rates, and how deaths can be prevented. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported there were 6,335 motorcyclists killed in 2023, an increase from 6,251 in 2022 and a significant jump from fewer than 3,000 in 2000, according to data released in July 2025. The trend is clear. Motorcycle fatalities are on the rise, and legislators, governmental bodies, and the general public are becoming increasingly concerned. Individuals and organizations are looking for ways to curb this crisis. To do so, one must examine where these fatalities are the most common and what cultural and legal factors are contributing to them. The rate of motorcycle fatalities varies widely from state to state. There can be many reasons for these discrepancies; however, helmet use is one of the biggest contributing factors, according to the National Safety Council. Below, the graph displays the rates of motorcycle fatalities by state. This data is normalized for motorcycle ownership in each state. Universal helmet laws were once in place across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the Highway Safety Act of 1966 required states to implement universal helmet laws in order to receive federal transportation funds. As a result, these laws were in effect in 47 states and the District of Columbia by 1975. However, federal penalties for not implementing these laws were removed in 1975, and half of these states reduced or removed the requirement. Since then, some states have re-initiated helmet laws for motorcyclists. Today, only 19 states and the District of Columbia require all riders to wear helmets. Others have age restrictions. According to Eric Teoh, the IIHS director of statistical services, “Wearing a helmet is one of the biggest things riders can do to protect themselves from death and traumatic brain injury.” Data reported from the National Safety Council supports this. Wearing a helmet on a motorcycle is 37% effective at reducing fatalities for the driver and 41% for passengers.