Left-turn crashes and motorcycle safety

Objective To provide updated statistics on crashes in which another vehicle turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle and discuss the potential of left turn assist technology.Methods Motorcycle driver involvements in 2-vehicle fatal and police-reported crashes during 2017-2021 were tabulated by crash type, with a focus on crash types involving vehicles turning.Results Crashes in which another vehicle turned left in front of an oncoming motorcycle were, by far, the most frequent type of fatal 2-vehicle motorcycle crash, at 26%.Conclusion There is a large opportunity to reduce harm by specifically addressing crashes in which another vehicle turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle – ideally using a variety of countermeasures simultaneously.