Motorcycle Fatalities Drop In Washington State
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:51 pm
Although I don't live anywhere close to Washington and I'm not sure of the national/regional trends, I can only hope this holds up on a larger basis.
If nothing else, it's an interesting article:
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/411107_motorcycle13.html
In particular, the following caught my eye:
Still, Stewart said the factors involved in most of these fatal wrecks continue to be speed, alcohol use and lane errors, typically riders losing control on curves. In March, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission's research and data center reported that between 1998 and 2007, 46 percent of the 591 motorcyclists killed were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time, speeding was a factor in almost 50 percent of the fatal wrecks and lane errors were to blame in 43 percent of the cases.
State Patrol Lt. Mike Turcott, who reviews every single accident report involving a motorcycle, said that out of 53 fatal accident reports he reviewed for 2009, just five listed an automobile driver at fault. In one instance, both the motorcyclist and a car driver were equally at fault.
"That is huge," Turcott said. "The pendulum is really swinging away from the other guy being at fault in these crashes."
This is one reason that for years state officials and traffic safety advocates have been promoting rider safety courses, which cost $125 for a course subsidized by the state. In recent years, interest in the classes has boomed, particularly when gas prices soared to almost $4 a gallon. But just as gas prices pushed people into riding, so now has the economy kept some from taking the courses. "The endorsements have continued to rise," Stewart said. "Although, rider education is off approximately 26 percent on the western side of the state and 41 percent in the eastern part of the state."
Rob
If nothing else, it's an interesting article:
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/411107_motorcycle13.html
In particular, the following caught my eye:
Still, Stewart said the factors involved in most of these fatal wrecks continue to be speed, alcohol use and lane errors, typically riders losing control on curves. In March, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission's research and data center reported that between 1998 and 2007, 46 percent of the 591 motorcyclists killed were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time, speeding was a factor in almost 50 percent of the fatal wrecks and lane errors were to blame in 43 percent of the cases.
State Patrol Lt. Mike Turcott, who reviews every single accident report involving a motorcycle, said that out of 53 fatal accident reports he reviewed for 2009, just five listed an automobile driver at fault. In one instance, both the motorcyclist and a car driver were equally at fault.
"That is huge," Turcott said. "The pendulum is really swinging away from the other guy being at fault in these crashes."
This is one reason that for years state officials and traffic safety advocates have been promoting rider safety courses, which cost $125 for a course subsidized by the state. In recent years, interest in the classes has boomed, particularly when gas prices soared to almost $4 a gallon. But just as gas prices pushed people into riding, so now has the economy kept some from taking the courses. "The endorsements have continued to rise," Stewart said. "Although, rider education is off approximately 26 percent on the western side of the state and 41 percent in the eastern part of the state."
Rob