Motorcyclist fatalities in Texas have been on the rise since 2019, with 600 motorcyclist fatalities reported in 2023.
Benefits to Texas Transportation Safety
The project advanced transportation safety in Texas by promoting motorcyclist awareness, responsible riding behaviors, and informed decision-making among motorists. Through strategic outreach, stakeholder collaboration, and educational initiatives—including events, materials, and digital engagement—the project helped reduce risk factors contributing to motorcycle crashes and fatalities, ultimately supporting safer roadways for all users.
Project Need and Approach
Motorcyclist safety remains a critical concern in Texas, where fatalities have steadily increased since 2019, reaching 600 deaths in 2023. Data from TxDOT and NHTSA highlight the disproportionate risk motorcyclists face—motorcyclist fatalities accounted for 12.5% of all traffic deaths in Texas in 2022, and riders are approximately 11 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than passenger vehicle occupants. Contributing factors include alcohol impairment (32% of fatalities), excessive speed (48%), and lack of helmet use (39%). While 56.2% of motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle—often due to visibility or speed misjudgment—42.8% are single-vehicle incidents, underscoring the need for rider accountability. These trends emphasize the urgency for targeted countermeasures, including education, outreach, and stakeholder collaboration. A unified, statewide approach is essential to disseminate safety information, promote responsible riding, and reduce the alarming rate of motorcyclist fatalities and injuries across Texas.
Project Activities
To address the growing concerns around motorcyclist safety in Texas, the project team implemented a comprehensive strategy rooted in TxDOT’s Strategic Planning concept and NHTSA’s Safe Systems Approach. Public information and education outreach served as the cornerstone of this effort, aligning with countermeasures recommended by NHTSA and outlined in the 2022–2027 Texas Strategic Highway Safety Plan and the Texas Strategic Action Plan for Motorcycles. The project team collaborated with key stakeholders—including rider groups, state agencies, law enforcement, and the Texas Motorcycle Safety Coalition (TMSC)—to develop and deploy targeted safety initiatives. Activities included creating and distributing promotional materials, attending statewide events, supporting TMSC and Task Force efforts, updating outreach content for Spanish-speaking communities, and hosting the annual Statewide Motorcycle Safety Forum. The 2025 Forum featured keynote speaker Hong Zhang from the Snell Foundation, who emphasized helmet safety and standards, and included sessions on emergency response, legislative updates, and smart road technologies. An unexpected outcome of the Forum was the development of Episode 104 of the Thinking Transportation podcast, which highlighted helmet safety and featured Hong Zhang and project staff. The TMSC Task Force initiative focused on motorcycle licensing and collaborated with law enforcement and the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center to develop and distribute educational materials to unlicensed riders. These efforts aimed to reduce fatalities and injuries by promoting responsible riding behaviors, increasing awareness among motorists, and fostering a unified, data-driven approach to motorcycle safety.
Project Title: Statewide Motorist Awareness and Motorcyclist Safety Education and Outreach Support
Project Start and End Dates: October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2025
Author List: Cathy Brooks
Sponsor/Funding Source: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)