Motorcycle Deaths

[rkforrest]

Open Channel - Motorcycle deaths stay at same level despite overall safer roads

[Hondaguy]

Originally Posted by rkforrest

Open Channel - Motorcycle deaths stay at same level despite overall safer roads

I believe the increase in ridership = the increase in deaths. 4500 deaths out of 5 MILLION plus riders is not something to be alarmed about. less than 1% of all riders don;'t make it home on any given trip/.

[oblivion_twister]

the level stays the same because they improve everything except current driver education. In the medical profession I'm required to get 30 hours plus of continuing education. Why are drivers not required to do the same? Cages are much more dangerous and more numerous than me?

[WVACERider]

Originally Posted by oblivion_twister

the level stays the same because they improve everything except current driver education. In the medical profession I'm required to get 30 hours plus of continuing education. Why are drivers not required to do the same? Cages are much more dangerous and more numerous than me?

I'm with you. I think the beginning driver education needs pumped up too. When I started out, I was constantly reminded that driving was a privilege, not a right, and could be just as easily be taken away as given. Not trying to sound like my dad and grandfather, the youngsters that are getting on the roads today seem to believe the opposite to the point of being so irresponsible that eating, talking, texting, etc. come before paying attention to operating the vehicle safely. Add them to experienced drivers that don't give motorcyclists a thought, and we riders have to have eyes in the front, back, and sides of our heads.

[CBH]

We had one here a few days ago. A single vehicle wreck. No real details other than the 39 year guy was on a sport bike and broke his neck. He was my nephews Cub Scout pack leader.

[rkforrest]

we had 5 here in Upstate Sc last weekend alone

[GPSchmidt]

Define "safer roads".

[oblivion_twister]

we've had about dozen locally since January, most riders fault. Scarey to think that all it takes is the physical ability to drive. IQ, common sense and ability to make decisions isn't. A monkey can be trained to pass a written and practical test.

[adlowe]

Originally Posted by oblivion_twister

we've had about dozen locally since January, most riders fault. Scarey to think that all it takes is the physical ability to drive. IQ, common sense and ability to make decisions isn't. A monkey can be trained to pass a written and practical test.

First motorcycle death in my county in 2012. I know the area very well; my daughter lives a couple of miles from the spot.

Basically, the SUV was turning left (into a strip mall) about a quarter mile from a major intersection with a traffic light. The bike turned right from the intersection and crashed into the SUV. I haven't seen the results of the investigation but I believe it was a combination of excess speed from the biker after the turn and failure of the SUV driver to see the biker.

Easy as it is to place blame, the biker had the most to lose so he needed to be the most vigilant.

[RJDoles]

I see more and more people texting while they drive now. It is surprising that that doesn't translate to more accidents, injuries and fatalities.

Cell phone manufacturer's say that their phone should be used in a safe manner. Maybe that statement lets them off the hook for any liability but almost all phones have gps in them now. It would be easy for the manufacturers to disable texting when the gps in the phone phone says the phone is moving faster than 5 mph.

Of course that would invite lawsuits from passengers in cars saying we are taking away their right to text while riding in a car.

And texting drivers would be forced to finish their text while sitting at a light so it would probably create backups at traffic lights.

Just my 2 cents.

Ride safe!