LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – We are only seven months into the year, and Lubbock has already seen dozens of motorcycle crashes on local roads, some of them turning deadly.
According to the Lubbock Police Department, there have been 58 motorcycle crashes so far in 2026. Those wrecks involved 118 people and left four dead.
While police say some of those crashes were caused by other drivers on the road, Lubbock Police Chief Seth Herman said many of the incidents fall back on the riders themselves.
“The most noteworthy statistic that you’ll look at is the number of not only motorcycle crashes, but fatal motorcycle crashes are actually the fault of the motorcyclists,” Chief Herman said.
LPD identified speeding, unsafe lane changes, and tailgating as the primary factors leading to these wrecks. Chief Herman pointed to a chase on Wednesday as a recent example, where a motorcyclist was racing another person before crashing into a car and being rushed to the hospital.
“Our job is to keep the public safe,” Chief Herman said. “And if that requires us to put you in jail to avoid you killing yourself or harming someone else because you want to drive in a reckless manner, then so be it.”
Data pulled from the state’s Crash Register Information System (CRIS) revealed another concerning trend: very few of the riders involved in these crashes actually had a motorcycle license, which is required by Texas law.
To help riders stay safe and legal, the LPD Motorcycle Unit hosts an advanced riding course once or twice a year to teach crash avoidance and prevention techniques.
“I really don’t see how people can effectively operate a motorcycle in a safe manner without going through the course,” Herman said. “There are nuances that are not covered by just on-the-road experience.”
In 2025, Lubbock recorded 130 motorcycle crashes involving 279 people, which resulted in eight deaths.
Chief Herman urged motorists to always look twice before changing lanes, reminding them that motorcyclists do not have the physical protection of a car. He also urged drivers to keep their cool when they see reckless riders.
“The motorcycle speeding by… the danger to you in a regular vehicle, in a full-size car or truck, is minimal,” Herman said. “So, try not to get frustrated and upset. Continue to focus on your behavior and your driving habits.”
To view the data , cris.dot.state.tx.us/public/Query/app/query-builder/disclaimer
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