The Governors Highway Safety Administration has released a preliminary report indicating the motorcycle deaths have decreased on our nation’s highways. If the final numbers are substantially similar, deaths will have dropped for the first time in over a decade.
Based on preliminary data gathered for the first nine months of the year, GHSA is projecting that motorcycle fatalities declined from 5,290 in 2008 to 4,762 or less in 2009. The projection is based on data from 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Tennessee had a substantial decrease in motorcycle deaths. During the first nine months of 2008 the number of motorcycle deaths was 132. In 2009, it was 101.
This is wonderful news. HIghway deaths overall have been steady or decreasing over the past few years, but motorcycle deaths have continued to climb. I look forward to the final report and some solid analysis about why deaths dropped during the year.