2001–2002 Ohio Licensed Drivers By County

Source: Ohio Department of Public Safety, 2001 & 2002 Ohio License Statistics

Motorcycle-related fatalities rose from 2,227 in 1995 to 3,244 in 2002–an increase from 5.3 to 7.5% of all traffic deaths. The trend accompanies the rising popularity of motor- cycles (sales are up 25% over the last decade). Some experts say a big contributor is the growing number of middle-aged riders who can afford to buy bigger bikes, but don’t have the experience or training to handle them. (The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/28/03)