Motorcyclists are one of our most vulnerable road users. Each year we promote public awareness campaigns that encourage safe riding for motorcyclists and for other motorists to be on the lookout for motorcycles and to share the road. On a national level motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely than people in passenger cars to die in a traffic crash.
Safe riding practices and cooperation from all road users will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our highways. It's especially important for vehicle drivers to understand the safety challenges faced by motorcyclists. This includes things such as motorcycle visibility and motorcycle riding practices to know how to anticipate and respond to them. By raising awareness, both drivers and riders will be safer sharing the road.
Over the past five years, the number of motorcycle fatalities in Rhode Island has fluctuated significantly, ranging from a low of eight deaths in 2024 to a high of 15 in 2023. In 2025, preliminary data indicated that 10 people lost their lives in Rhode Island motorcycle crashes.
Helmet use continues to be a significant safety concern. In 2025, nationally, approximately 30 percent of motorcyclists killed in crashes were not wearing helmets. Rhode Island's preliminary 2025 data reflect a higher trend, with four of the state's 10 motorcyclist fatalities (40 percent) involving riders who were not wearing a helmet. Rhode Island does not have a universal motorcycle helmet law; current state law requires helmet use only for operators during their first year of licensure and for passengers.
Alcohol and drug impairment also remained a major contributing factor in fatal motorcycle crashes. Preliminary 2025 statistics show that 66 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes involved the presence of alcohol and/or drugs. The average age of those killed was 29, with victims ranging in age from 22 to 52 years old.
Geographically, Providence County recorded the highest number of motorcycle fatalities in 2025, with seven deaths, followed by Newport County with two and Kent County with one.
Although motorcycles account for only about 3 percent of Rhode Island's registered motor vehicle fleet, motorcyclists represented 27 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in 2025. This disproportionate share underscores the heightened risk faced by motorcyclists and the continued need for education, enforcement, and strategies aimed at reducing fatal crashes.
Our approach includes looking for partners to work together in developing educational materials and training programs as well as marketing materials. These efforts look to encourage safe riding practices and to remind motorists to share the road. We also stress the importance of avoiding dangerous behaviors such as impaired riding, distraction and speeding.
RIDOT works with the Traffic Safety Coalition (TSC), a consortium of traffic safety advocates that include community groups focusing on all our traffic safety emphasis areas. A TSC Motorcycle Safety Subcommittee, which includes private citizens, CCRI, RIDMV, the Rhode Island Motorcycle Association, RI National Guard and RIDOT has explored avenues to increase motorcycle safety in the areas of education, training, license requirements and legislation. One such product of this partnership is proposed legislation to increase licensing requirements to include a 3-wheel licensing training program that is currently working its way through the State House.
We also have led an effort to develop informational pocket cards to bring awareness to motorcycle safety. They are called "Get Up to Speed on Motorcycles. Motorcyclists and Motorists Can Work Together to Save Lives". These handy cards were given to law enforcement and community groups to hand out at events and to bring to local businesses for distribution.