Motorcycles are a unique part of the weekend American roadway. They offer some bikers a sense of freedom, some stress relief, and some a strong sense of community. No matter where you are in the country, you’re likely to see at least a few bikers on the road enjoying themselves.
Unfortunately, those positives seem to come with more risk. According to the National Safety Council, motorcycles make up just 3% of registered vehicles yet account for nearly 15% of traffic fatalities nationwide.
To shed some light on these risk patterns, we analyze NHTSA crash data to pinpoint the parts of the country that see the highest rate of fatal accidents involving motorcycles and the times of day these collisions are most likely to happen.
Based on our analysis, fatal motorcycle crashes have increased every year since 2019, jumping from 4,945 to 6,165 in 2022. From 2018 to 2022, nearly 36% of fatal crashes involving motorcycles involved speeding—a statistic that underscores the importance of knowing when and where motorcycle accidents are most likely to occur.
In this blog, we’ll break down the states with the highest accident rates and determine the days of the week and hours of the day when motorcycle crashes peak across the country. Dive in to discover the times and places where extra caution could make all the difference for bikers.
Which States See the Most and Fewest Motorcycle Accidents?
When it comes to motorcycle severe accident prevalence, location plays a surprisingly big role. Our analysis pinpoints which states see the highest rates of fatal collisions involving motorcycles per capita. To provide a balanced perspective, we’ve looked at crashes per 10,000 licensed motorcyclists, helping to reveal a clearer picture of accident frequency. For reference, the national average stands at 6.2 crashes per 10,000 motorcyclists.
The Most Dangerous States for Motorcyclists
Motorcyclists face heightened risks in certain regions, with Southern states standing out.
- Texas – 12.1 crashes per 10K motorcyclists
- Missouri – 10.7
- Louisiana – 10.6
- Arkansas – 10.5
- South Carolina – 9.9
With four of the top five states located in the South, it’s clear that the region poses a unique environment for motorcycle safety. Warmer climates likely encourage more year-round riding, while less densely populated areas provide more opportunities for longer, fast rides. These are likely contributing to a higher accident rate.
The Least Dangerous States for Motorcyclists
In contrast, motorcyclists in Northern states experience significantly fewer accidents:
- New Hampshire – 2.9 crashes per 10K motorcyclists
- Minnesota & Wisconsin (tie) – 3.0
- Iowa – 3.1
- Alaska & South Dakota (tie) – 3.3
Northern states tend to see fewer accidents, perhaps due to shorter riding seasons brought on by colder weather and more dense metro areas leaving riders with less space to explore and time on the road. Interestingly, Wisconsin—a state known for its ties to motorcycling, with Harley-Davidson headquartered there—also sees relatively low accident rates. This could point to an experienced rider base or effective local safety initiatives.
Accident rates fluctuate throughout the country, with the ones that provide an environment that’s more conducive to year-round ridership seeing an increase in accidents involving motorcycles.
With these patterns in mind, let’s look closer at the timing of these accidents by examining the most dangerous days of the week and hours of the day for motorcyclists.
The Most Dangerous Weekday for Motorcyclists in the U.S. is Thursday
Much like location, time also plays a role in the frequency of motorcycle accidents. Our analysis of NHTSA data highlights some clear trends, revealing the days and times bikers face the biggest risks. While the weekends show elevated accident rates, weekdays like Thursday also see a surprising number of severe crashes.
The Most Dangerous Days of the Week for Motorcyclists
Over half (55%) of all fatal crashes involving motorcycles occur during the weekend (Friday through Sunday).
- Saturday: 22% of all fatal motorcycle crashes, making it the most dangerous day in 43 states.
- Sunday: 18%, the most dangerous day in the remaining seven states.
- Friday: 15%, ranking as the least dangerous weekend day but the third most dangerous day overall.
Weekends, particularly Saturday and Sunday, pose the highest risks for motorcyclists, likely due to increased leisure traffic.
Risky Weekdays for Motorcyclists
While the odds are slightly better during the week, some weekdays carry notable risks for bikers on the road.
Thursday: 12% of all fatal motorcycle crashes, making it the most dangerous weekday in 22 states. The states that see the highest percentages of their crashes on Thursdays are:
- Montana – 15.4% of all crashes
- Nebraska – 15.3%
- Louisiana – 15%
Wednesday: 11.5% of crashes, making it the most dangerous weekday for motorcyclists in 13 states. Those with the highest percentage on Wednesday include:
- Rhode Island – 14.9%
- Oregon – 13.7%
- Massachusetts – 13.4%
Tuesday: 10.7%, coming in as the most dangerous weekday in six states. Three of which are:
- Alaska – 18.9%
- Colorado – 12.7%
- Indiana – 12.6%
Monday: 10.5%, it’s the most dangerous weekday in nine states. Those with a high percentage of their crashes on Monday include:
- Vermont – 13.7%
- Delaware – 13.2%
- Virginia – 13%
The Most Dangerous Hours of the Day for Motorcyclists
Certain times of the day are more likely to see severe accidents involving motorcycles, largely due to typical traffic patterns. Here are the hours that motorcyclists should be most cautious:
6 pm – 7 pm: 7.7% of all fatal motorcycle crashes. This is the most dangerous time of day in eight states, including:
- Virginia – 9.6%
- Ohio – 9.6%
- South Carolina – 9.3%
- North Carolina – 9.3%
5 pm – 6 pm: 7.6% of all crashes and the most dangerous hour of the day in eleven states, such as:
- New Hampshire – 10.7%
- Hawaii – 10.3%
- Iowa – 10.3%
7 pm – 8 pm: 7.2%, with peak incidents in eight states. Those that see the highest percentage of their accidents during this time are:
- Connecticut – 13.2%
- North Dakota – 13%
- West Virginia – 12.8%
There are some parts of the country that experience their spikes during non-peak travel hours. The most dangerous hour of the day for motorcycles in Vermont, for example, is 11 am – 12 pm which sees 11.8% of all its severe motorcycle accidents. In Montana (11%) and Texas (7.2%), bikers face their most dangerous times on the road between 9 – 10 pm.
With evening hours frequently topping the list of most dangerous times, it’s clear that commuting hours and after-work traffic significantly impact motorcycle safety. From weekends to weekday evenings, motorcyclists must stay alert, especially on high-risk days and times.
The Most Dangerous Times for Motorcycles To Be on the Road by State
Now that we’ve explored the numbers behind the most common times that bikers face increased dangers on the road, are you curious about when motorcyclists in your state face the greatest risks?
Our interactive table below breaks down the most dangerous times across all 50 states, showing when crashes involving motorcycles are most likely. You can search for your state directly, sort by any column, or explore the full data set to get a better understanding of where your state ranks in various categories.
Closing Thoughts
For motorcyclists across the U.S., timing matters. From weekday evenings to busy weekends, certain hours and days stand out for posing greater risks on the road. Our analysis breaks down these high-risk periods, giving riders a clearer picture of when to stay particularly vigilant.
Murphy & Practhauser understands the serious impact that motorcycle accidents can have on individuals and their families. In the aftermath of such an event, our attorneys are with you every step of the way to protect riders and their families from negligent drivers and hold those responsible accountable.
Methodology
To determine the most dangerous times for motorcycles to be on the road in every state, we analyzed data over the past five years from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about fatal vehicle accidents that involved motorcycles. We were able to find out the most dangerous days of the week, hours of the day, and months of the year for motorcyclists in every state.
Additionally, we found the number of fatal motorcycle accidents per 10K motorcyclists in every state. The data on motorcycle licenses is from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
As collisions are more likely to occur on the weekend, we segmented our data to show the most dangerous days for motorcyclists on both the weekends and during the week.