U.S. motorcycle-related deaths up 4.3% in 2012's first 9 months

By David Shepardson
Detroit News Washington Bureau

Washington — Motorcycle deaths are rising nationwide, up at least 4.3 percent in the first nine months of 2012 as Michigan reported the third-highest number of increased rider deaths.

The Governors Highway Safety Association said in a report being released Wednesday that record-high temperatures last spring helped boost motorcycle deaths in 34 of 50 states. In the first three months of 2012, motorcycle deaths jumped 24 percent.

Motorcycle deaths have more than doubled nationally from 1997 to 2011, from 2,116 top 4,612, while overall traffic fatalities fell in the same period by 23 percent from 42,013 to 32,367. The group is projecting that motorcycle deaths will top 5,000 in 2012 and will account for more than 14 percent of all traffic deaths, the highest-ever percentage of total road deaths.

Michigan reported the third-highest number of increased motorcycle deaths.

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