Motorcycle deaths are down in Virginia this year after they reached a 10-year high last year, the state reports.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles reported preliminary numbers showing that half as many people died while riding motorcycles in the first five months of 2008 compared with the same time last year.

Twenty people died in motorcycle accidents from January through May this year, compared with 41 in 2007.

Statewide, motorcycle deaths are at their lowest level since 2005, even though there are more registered motorcycles in Virginia than ever before. There are 280,600 motorcycles registered in Virginia, compared with 100,230 in 2002.

In 2007, 2,697 motorcycle crashes were reported in Virginia. Of those, 126 were fatal. Also in 2007, 86 motorcyclists were convicted of drunken driving. Of the crashes, 444 involved drivers between the ages of 21 and 25.

In 2002, only 1,688 motorcycle crashes were reported; 53 were fatal. In 2002, 55 motorcyclists were convicted of drunken driving. Of the crashes, 250 reported involved drivers between the ages of 21 and 25.

-- From Staff and Wire reports