Though the numbers they give are different, experts agree that the number of riders killed in motorcycle accidents in Clark County has jumped significantly in 2022 compared to this time last year.
The Road Equity Alliance Project at UNLV says that as of Aug. 30, 35 motorcyclists have died in crashes in Clark County. “The numbers have just skyrocketed,” the project’s director said in a news story about the issue.
By comparison, the Nevada Department of Public Safety claims that “only” 31 people in Clark County had been killed in motorcycle crashes by the end of August. That lower figure would still mean a 24 percent increase year-over-year. Meanwhile, Las Vegas Metro police report 22 fatalities involving motorcycles in the city, one fewer than by the same point in 2021.
What are common causes of motorcycle wrecks?
We probably won’t know the official statistics for a while or what is causing the apparent increase in motorcycle fatalities. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Four-wheeled vehicle drivers who fail to yield to oncoming motorcycles before attempting a left turn.
- Drivers who tailgate a motorcycle and then fail to brake in time at a stoplight or traffic jam.
- Drivers who change lanes without signaling or looking out for motorcycles first.
Motorists who fail to notice motorcycles or do not respect their right to the road often cause deadly collisions. More often, the rider survives but is permanently disabled because of the driver’s negligence. Even with safety gear like a helmet and riding jacket, riders are especially vulnerable to collisions. Motorcycles do not have seat belts, airbags or crumple zones like cars, pickup trucks and SUVs do. Getting hit by a much larger vehicle can send a rider flying onto the pavement. Serious injury is a real risk in any collision.