Is Missouri dangerous for motorcycles? See how it ranks in this study of biker deaths
.JPG "Morning rush hour traffic heads north into Kansas City on Highway 69, near 132nd Street in Overland Park.")
Missouri is one of the most dangerous states in the country for motorcycle riders, according to a national study by an online insurance broker.
The Show-Me State had the third-highest rate of motorcycle deaths in the U.S. in 2021, according to the report by QuoteWizard. The site calculated its rankings using traffic safety statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In 2021, Missouri had 151 motorcycle fatalities, a 23% increase compared to 2020. The study found 11.9 deaths per 10,000 motorcycles in the state.
Across the country, there were 5,636 motorcycle fatalities in 2021 — the highest number ever recorded by QuoteWizard. Motorcycle deaths are up 22% over the last decade.
Texas and Arkansas were the only two states that ranked higher than Missouri in the study.
“We found that warmer, southern states with weather conducive to riding have the highest rates of motorcycle fatalities,” the report said.
The study found that in addition to the climate, alcohol and helmet use also influence the number of motorcycle deaths in each state.
Alcohol was involved in 36% of all motorcycle fatalities in the U.S. in 2021. And the study found that 28% of Missouri’s fatalities involved someone legally intoxicated.
Do helmets prevent motorcycle fatalities?
Helmet use has declined in areas with the highest rate of fatalities, according to the study.
It’s dropped from 71% to 68% nationwide between 2020 to 2021. Using a helmet reduces the risk of head injury by 69% and the risk of death by 42%.
Of Missouri’s 151 fatalities, the rider wasn’t wearing a helmet in 80 of them.
Missouri repealed the state’s universal helmet law in 2020, and now the law states that motorcyclists ages 26 and older can ride without a helmet, if they have both medical insurance and proof of financial responsibility.
If you’re under the age of 26, you have to wear a helmet, no matter what your insurance or financial situation is.
