Despite less traffic on the road in 2020 and a two percent reduction in motorcycle crashes, safety officials are alarmed by a 17% increase in Texas motorcycle fatalities compared to 2019, a Texas Department of Transportation press release stated.
A motorcyclist is reportedly killed in a crash on Texas roads every day on average — last year 482 died. Motorcyclists account for 12% of all traffic fatalities statewide.
May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and TxDOT’s annual “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign gets underway to call attention to the safety precautions motorists can take to protect motorcyclists and themselves, the press release stated.
In 2020, there were reportedly 7,481 motorcycle crashes in Texas with 1,856 motorcyclists seriously injured and 482 killed.
“May through October is an especially dangerous period for motorcyclists in Texas,” TxDOT Executive Director James Bass stated in the press release. “Of all the motorcyclist deaths in Texas during 2020, more than 61% happened in that period. It’s so important to remember that these motorcyclists don’t have the same protections that drivers in vehicles have, and that’s why we’re urging all motorists to stay watchful and alert when traveling alongside motorcycles so everyone can reach their destination safely.”
Local statistics show the number of motorcycle traffic crashes in the Odessa District totaled 141 in 2020. These crashes resulted in 14 motorcyclist (operators and passengers) deaths and 26 motorcyclists being seriously injured. The number of motorcycle traffic crashes in Midland totaled 38 in 2020. These crashes resulted in 1 motorcyclist (operators and passengers) death and 7 motorcyclists being seriously injured. The number of motorcycle traffic crashes in Odessa totaled 44 in 2020. These crashes resulted in 3 motorcyclist (operators and passengers) deaths and 4 motorcyclists being seriously injured.
