DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Police Department says motorcycle crashes in Des Moines are down, along with injuries and fatalities.

It’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Des Moines Police Department is reminding the community that with warmer weather, motorcyclists are back on the road.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, reported that 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. This represented 15% of all traffic fatalities and was an increase of 1.3% from 2022.

The DMPD reports that their data shows motorcycle crashes in Des Moines decreased from 131 in 2023 to 106 in 2024. Fatalities in Des Moines also went down from six in 2023 to five in 2024.

WHO 13’s Adrianna Torres spoke with the Des Moines PD in April about the importance of watching your mirrors and speed on the road.

“It’s time to start sharing the road. Need to get ourselves in that mindset of looking a little bit closer because those motorcycles much lower profile than a car,” DMPD Sgt. Paul Parizek said. “We also tell the motorcyclists that it’s going to take a minute before they realize, hey, motorcycles are back on the streets. They also need to make sure that they keep their speed and their driving behaviors in a safe fashion, because a lot of these crashes that we see with motorcycles, excessive speed is a major contributor.”

NHTSA shared these tips that both drivers and motorcyclists can use to stay safe on the road.

• Observing all traffic laws and obeying the speed limit.
• Yielding to motorcyclists, especially when drivers are turning at intersections.
• Wearing high-visibility protective gear and DOT compliant motorcycle helmets while riding.
• Completing a motorcycle rider education and training course.
• Avoiding distractions while driving or riding.
• Driving and riding alcohol- and drug-free.

Riders can learn more about motorcycle safety and being road-ready at the NHTSA website.