Officials are urging drivers and motorcyclists to be cautious after recent fatal motorcycle crashes in the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n
Two young men died in motorcycle crashes over the last several days, one in Upper Bucks<\/a>, and another in Northampton County<\/a>. The Lehigh County coroner\u2019s office investigated those deaths because both men were taken to hospitals in Lehigh County.<\/p>\n That office has handled at least 19 motorcycle-related fatalities this year.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my role as coroner, I have seen an increase in motorcycle-related fatalities, and each of these deaths is a sobering reminder of the devastating impact a fatal crash has on families, friends, first responders and the community as a whole,\u201d Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio said.<\/p>\n Crash data for 2026 was not available, however there were over 200 motorcycle crashes in the Lehigh Valley each year between 2021 and 2025, according to PennDOT data. In 2025, there were 11 fatal motorcycle crashes between Lehigh and Northampton counties, the highest amount in that time frame.<\/p>\n Statewide, there were 2,927 motorcycle crashes last year, and 186 people died in those crashes, according to PennDOT data. Based on vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists are killed 27 times more often than a car occupants, according to PennDOT, which noted that the danger is understated because the occupancy rates of cars is about 1.4 times that of motorcycles.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the occupancy rates are considered, motorcyclists are fatally injured an astounding 38 times more often than car occupants,\u201d PennDOT stated on its motorcycle safety page.<\/a><\/p>\n Trooper Nathan Branosky, a state police spokesperson, said troopers investigated 116 motorcycle crashes last year in Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks counties. There were 43 motorcycle crashes the first half of 2025, and 42 in the first half of 2026, he said.<\/p>\n Branosky said it is important for motorcyclists to use safe habits on the road, including riding at a safe speed and wearing protective gear, such as eye protection, helmet and appropriate clothes.<\/p>\n PennDOT said speed continues to be a significant factor in fatal crashes; 23 of the 48 fatal motorcycle crashes between 2021 and 2025 were speeding-related, according to PennDOT data.<\/p>\n Drivers should also be aware of obstacles and hazards on the road, Branosky said.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone has a shared responsibility to be safe drivers, no matter what vehicle you are operating,\u201d he said. \u201cArriving alive and safe to your destination should be everyone\u2019s priority.\u201d<\/p>\n