Rider deaths fall - again

Motorcycle fatalities fell by 10% last year despite an increase in use, according to government figures.

It’s the second major drop in two years, after rider deaths fell 15% in 2010.
There were 362 motorcyclists killed in road accidents in 2011 compared to 403 the year before.

Meanwhile motorcycle traffic rose 0.9% in the same period.

Motorcyclists are doing better at cutting fatalities than other road users, with deaths from all road accidents up 3%, the first increase since 2003.

But serious injuries to riders rose by 10% while total motorcycle casualties increased 8%.

Compared to the annual average from 2005-2009, rider deaths are down 33%.