Motorcycle Accidents
In North Carolina, motorcyclists are subject to the same speed restrictions as other vehicles. All motorcyclists are required to drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent. Any speed in excess of the following speeds is evidence of unreasonable driving:
- Above limits set for school crossings by local authorities.
- 35 mph in a business or residential district.
- 55 mph in other locations. N.C.G.S. § 20-141.
Approximately 4,000 motorcyclists are killed each year, and more than 80,000 are injured in traffic crashes. Many of these injuries and deaths could be prevented if motorcycle riders and their passengers wore helmets. In 2005, 4,553 motorcyclists were killed and an additional 87,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States.
Per vehicle mile traveled in 2004, motorcyclists were about 34 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured. While motorcycles made up slightly more than 2 percent of all registered vehicles in the U.S., motorcyclists account for 10 percent of total traffic deaths. In 2005, 34 percent of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to 26 percent for passenger car drivers, 25 percent for light-truck drivers, and 2 percent for large-truck drivers.
Wearing a helmet lowers a motorcycle rider's risk of fatal injury by 37 percent. Despite the documented effectiveness of helmets, many motorcyclists choose not to wear them, especially when state laws don't require helmet use. Currently, less than half of the states require helmet use by riders of all ages. NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,546 motorcyclists in 2005. And if all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 728 lives could have been saved.
In most other locations the Department of Transportation department may determine and declare a prima facie speed limit
of 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30 or 25 miles per hour, whichever is
found most appropriate.
