A sobering fact motivated Washington safety officials to change the way motorcyclists approach their ride. Between 2020 and 2024, motorcycles accounted for 3% of registered vehicles in the state, but their riders were involved in 16% of traffic fatalities.
Along with all other types of vehicles, fatal motorcycle crashes shot up after 2020. Traffic collisions between 2020 and 2024 caused 573 motorcycle rider deaths in the state, 83 of those in Pierce County.
It’s not hard to see why motorcyclists feature in a disproportionate number of fatal traffic collisions. Combine engine-powered speeds with a relative lack of protection from impact, and the math is straightforward and grim…