As a motorcycle enthusiast, I am troubled to learn that the number of motorcycle crashes is up in Wisconsin this year. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), as of June 15, 2007, 34 people have died in motorcycle crashes in the state this year compared to 25 killed at the same time last year.
Factors that can increase the potential for crashes include the recent warm weather and the fact there are more motorcycles on the road, a point
I blogged about recently.Lester Ecke, a state-certified instructor with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation taught at Mid-State Technical College in Marshfield told the Marshfield News-Herald there are two incidents that result in the highest number of motorcycle accidents.
"One is the motorcyclist going into a curve and is not able to make the curve because of poor judgment,” said Ecke. “They're probably going into it too fast. Second is, vehicles turning left in front of motorcycles."
The DOT says half of all motorcycle crashes are not the motorcyclist’s fault. In those cases, motorists around the cycles are to blame, usually because they fail to yield to motorcycles.
Automobile drivers, share the road with motorcycles. Remember, motorcycles are smaller and more difficult to see than cars. Safety experts suggest drivers make a visual check for motorcycles before changing lanes or entering a major roadway. Experts also recommend do not follow too close; allow a four-second following distance and even more during hazardous road conditions. Give the motorcycle a full lane width. Never share a lane with a motorcycle. Be extremely careful at intersections. That is where most motorcycle crashes occur.
While motorcyclists have road responsibilities, it is imperative that other vehicle drivers be especially cautious to avoid collisions with motorcycles. Sharing the road safely with motorcycles can save lives.
