Motorcycle-Related Deaths in Connecticut Lower than 1980s

November 11, 2008

Connecticut transportation officials say even with thousands of new motorcyclists in Connecticut, the death rate involving motorcycles has gone down in the past two decades.

As of Nov. 1, state figures show that 54 people have died in motorcycle accidents in Connecticut this year.

Officials say motorcycle riding in the state is much safer than it was in the mid-1980s. In 1985, 74 riders were killed and the death rate per 10,000 registrations was 12.1. That's double the rate in 2006.

Connecticut Department of Transportation statistics show that nearly 54 percent of the single motorcycle crashes between 2002 and 2006 were due to the rider losing control.

Riding too fast for the conditions accounted for 20 percent of the crashes.

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Information from: Republican-American