05/31/2026
According to SCDPS there have been 46 motorcyclists killed in crashes year to date in South Carolina in 2026. If left unchecked, we are on pace to see 110 lives lost in motorcycle crashes this year – nearly double the number of motorcyclists killed in 2025. Statistics that are not as readily available are the number of motorcyclists severely injured in crashes. Within the ALRSC community alone we have three riders who have suffered life-altering injuries in 2026.
Clearly there are two sides of the safety coin – actions that drivers take and actions that motorcyclists take. Highway safety is only achieved when both drivers and riders take the right actions.
If we believe in bell curves, we know that roughly 20 percent of riders and drivers are dedicated to doing the right thing all the time, and sadly, roughly 20 percent of drivers and riders are consistently going to do the wrong thing – often by choice. The behaviors, beliefs and attitudes of those two groups are deeply held. Unfortunately, it’s the 20 percent doing the wrong thing that garners our attention, and often shapes our perception of riders and drivers, rather than the majority of folks who are trying to do it right.
As Motorcycle Awareness Month ends, we ask that drivers remain aware of motorcycles, and that motorcyclists continue to practice safe riding. Distracted driving is as deadly as impaired driving, and wearing proper riding gear increases the survivability of, and helps decrease the severity of injuries from, motorcycle crashes. Whether you buckle up or saddle up, it’s your job to mitigate the risks of driving and riding, and to help ensure we all get home safely. Show you care, be aware – Check twice, safe a life.
