PacWestGS
08-06-2006, 08:13 AM
I came across this this morning and had some comments to share.
State Patrol Concerned About Spike In Motorcycle Deaths
August 2, 2006
By Associated Press
EVERETT - The thrill of the open road is proving increasingly deadly to motorcycle riders, many of whom are ill-prepared for handling their choppers, the Washington State Patrol says.
Nearly 40 people have died in motorcycle crashes around the state this year. Since 1999 the number of motorcycles licensed in the state is up 60 percent, while the number of motorcycle deaths has risen by 89 percent, Trooper Kirk H. Rudeen said.
The patrol is planning a crackdown on aggressive motorcycle driving using aerial surveillance and infrared cameras this week.
The latest death occurred Monday when Pamela B. Farrell, 58, of Shoreline, was riding beside her husband when her motorcycle went off U.S. 2 and down an embankment west of Stevens Pass. Weather did not appear to be a factor and the cause of the crash remained under investigation, troopers said.
"We're seeing people dying who are between 45 and 60. They can afford to get their first bike or take it up after a hiatus," Rudeen said. "The problem is, those Harleys weigh a couple hundred pounds, and they're a whole different animal than a car."
In about a third of the fatal crashes, the rider was not legally endorsed to drive a motorcycle, and inexperience appears to be a factor in the rising death count, he said.
"You just can't think it's like riding a (bicycle). You can't just jump on a motorcycle and think you're good to go," Rudeen said. "Even with a helmet and leathers, there's nothing between you and the roadway, and the margin for error is almost nonexistent."
He also said car and truck drivers often fail to pay enough attention to motorcycles.
"People simply don't see the motorcycle or register it's there," he said. "Drivers out there have to be careful, and motorcyclists must anticipate that people won't see them."
I'd really like to know just how many of these fatal crashes resulted from "Aggressive Motorcycle Riding"? Most of what I read and see on the news, are "Motorcyclist Struck by SUV", "Car hits and kills motorcyclist", "Motorcyclist loses control and goes off road". Yes, I have also seen a rash of "Young man dies on I-5 do to excessive speed and weaving in and out of traffic", but as far as I know that number pales in comparison to the number of riders' struck by other automobiles.
You show me 45 to 60 year olds who die because "speed is a major contributing factor" and I'll show you more statistics that say "Rider caused crash do to inexperience, or inability to control the motorcycle". Or, "car/truck crossed divided roadway or turned left in front of motorcyclist".
You don't have to be going fast to push on the wrong side of the handlebars and force a turn in the opposite direction of the one you intended to make. And, once you get that (I'd love to ride a 200 pound motorcycle) 600-1000 pound behemoth under you going the wrong direction it is often difficult to change that direction in time.
Right now the back log in Washington for any MSF course is three-months. Most of the riders' that are dying have nothing or have a "Permit" because they can't or won't take the safety classes before getting their "Dream Machine" a Brand new (too big for you) bike. Oh, and before you start riding it, take it home, rip all the stock parts off it, make it loud, and make it FASTER.
I fear the state is targeting the wrong audience and is placing the blame on "RIDERS" and not the general "Cage driving public" to look for and see motorcyclists.
Everyday I ride to work, "everyday" I have to avoid someone driving a cage at least once for a number of different reasons, and I'm only as "Aggressive" as I need to be to survive getting there and back home again. Why do I do it? I enjoy it too much, it's not about saving the planet or getting to work 10-15 minutes faster.
Doc
State Patrol Concerned About Spike In Motorcycle Deaths
August 2, 2006
By Associated Press
EVERETT - The thrill of the open road is proving increasingly deadly to motorcycle riders, many of whom are ill-prepared for handling their choppers, the Washington State Patrol says.
Nearly 40 people have died in motorcycle crashes around the state this year. Since 1999 the number of motorcycles licensed in the state is up 60 percent, while the number of motorcycle deaths has risen by 89 percent, Trooper Kirk H. Rudeen said.
The patrol is planning a crackdown on aggressive motorcycle driving using aerial surveillance and infrared cameras this week.
The latest death occurred Monday when Pamela B. Farrell, 58, of Shoreline, was riding beside her husband when her motorcycle went off U.S. 2 and down an embankment west of Stevens Pass. Weather did not appear to be a factor and the cause of the crash remained under investigation, troopers said.
"We're seeing people dying who are between 45 and 60. They can afford to get their first bike or take it up after a hiatus," Rudeen said. "The problem is, those Harleys weigh a couple hundred pounds, and they're a whole different animal than a car."
In about a third of the fatal crashes, the rider was not legally endorsed to drive a motorcycle, and inexperience appears to be a factor in the rising death count, he said.
"You just can't think it's like riding a (bicycle). You can't just jump on a motorcycle and think you're good to go," Rudeen said. "Even with a helmet and leathers, there's nothing between you and the roadway, and the margin for error is almost nonexistent."
He also said car and truck drivers often fail to pay enough attention to motorcycles.
"People simply don't see the motorcycle or register it's there," he said. "Drivers out there have to be careful, and motorcyclists must anticipate that people won't see them."
I'd really like to know just how many of these fatal crashes resulted from "Aggressive Motorcycle Riding"? Most of what I read and see on the news, are "Motorcyclist Struck by SUV", "Car hits and kills motorcyclist", "Motorcyclist loses control and goes off road". Yes, I have also seen a rash of "Young man dies on I-5 do to excessive speed and weaving in and out of traffic", but as far as I know that number pales in comparison to the number of riders' struck by other automobiles.
You show me 45 to 60 year olds who die because "speed is a major contributing factor" and I'll show you more statistics that say "Rider caused crash do to inexperience, or inability to control the motorcycle". Or, "car/truck crossed divided roadway or turned left in front of motorcyclist".
You don't have to be going fast to push on the wrong side of the handlebars and force a turn in the opposite direction of the one you intended to make. And, once you get that (I'd love to ride a 200 pound motorcycle) 600-1000 pound behemoth under you going the wrong direction it is often difficult to change that direction in time.
Right now the back log in Washington for any MSF course is three-months. Most of the riders' that are dying have nothing or have a "Permit" because they can't or won't take the safety classes before getting their "Dream Machine" a Brand new (too big for you) bike. Oh, and before you start riding it, take it home, rip all the stock parts off it, make it loud, and make it FASTER.
I fear the state is targeting the wrong audience and is placing the blame on "RIDERS" and not the general "Cage driving public" to look for and see motorcyclists.
Everyday I ride to work, "everyday" I have to avoid someone driving a cage at least once for a number of different reasons, and I'm only as "Aggressive" as I need to be to survive getting there and back home again. Why do I do it? I enjoy it too much, it's not about saving the planet or getting to work 10-15 minutes faster.
Doc