Statistics show that the number of people who have died in motorcycle accidents in Ohio has declined in 2011. So far this year, motorcycle crashes have caused the deaths of 120 people, a significant decline from the same period last year, in which 158 people were killed. These figures were released recently by the State Department of Public Safety.

This decline in fatal motorcycle accidents comes as more Ohio residents are becoming licensed to operate motorcycles. There are about 711,000 drivers in Ohio with a motorcycle endorsement permit stamp on their driver's license this year, which is up from 699,912 in 2009.

While the number of motorcycle accidents statewide and locally are down, including the number of fatal injuries, motorcycle enthusiasts contend that both figures would be even lower if more car drivers watched out for bikes while driving, paid more attention to the road and stopped talking on mobile phones while in motion. Motorcycle riders who are struck by negligent motorists driving two-ton vehicles have a high risk of suffering serious or fatal injuries, and many such fatalities result from collisions between cars or trucks and motorcycle riders. Factors in causing such crashes can include motorists speeding, abusing alcohol or simply driving in a careless manner.

In Butler County, adjacent to Hamilton County, the number of fatalities in motorcycle accidents decreased from six in 2010 to two in 2011. In Hamilton County, there have been 183 motorcycle crashes and seven fatalities in 2011. Despite the downward trend throughout the state, more fatalities have happened in Hamilton County in 2011 than the amount that happened in 2010.

In the town of Middletown, there were only 15 motorcycle accidents during 2009, the last year for which full figures are available, representing less than 1 percent of the approximately 2,000 motor vehicle accidents that occurred overall.

Source: Middletown Journal, "Ohio motorcycle crash fatalities down," Hannah Poturalski, Oct. 12, 2011