Change starts with knowledge. If we want to change the number of cyclists getting injured or killed in accidents in the United States, the first step is simply to understand how and why these accidents take place. That can guide safety efforts moving forward.
With that in mind, take a look at these four key statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- In 37% of recent (2017) fatal cyclings accidents, alcohol use was involved. This does not necessarily mean that the cyclist was the one who was drinking, but just that it played a role.
- When comparing male and female cycling fatalities for the same year, it was found that fatal crashes were 8 times higher for men than women.
- Three-quarters of all fatalities on bikes occur on urban streets, with just one quarter happening on rural roads.
- In every season, statistics showed that the most common time for these wrecks was from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
This information can help people stay safe in numerous ways. For instance, riders can try to avoid the peak times for fatal accidents, which are in the evenings. They can make a commitment to never drink and ride. They can stick to more rural roads or at least use caution when riding on city streets. Men can be aware that they have an elevated level of risk and so they need to be safe and cautious.
As helpful as this information is, nothing guarantees that you won’t suffer injuries in a crash. If you do, it’s important to know about your rights to compensation.