Biker deaths to rise with gas prices?By Noah Haglund (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Most motorcyclists who died during a recent 18-month period studied by the S.C. Highway Patrol either had a beginner's license or no license at all, and troopers fear the problem could grow as high gas prices push more first-time riders toward two-wheeled transportation. "With gas prices on the increase, more people are riding motorcycles to work," Lance Cpl. Bob Beres said. "They're not just using them for leisure." Averaging about $3.88 a gallon on Tuesday, gas prices in Charleston are almost $1 above what they were a year ago, according to AAA. The owner of Velocity Powersports motorcycle dealership in Summerville has noticed more customers asking about fuel efficiency. And good gas mileage is something owner Jerry Cristo can deliver — the Hondas, Yamahas and Kawasakis he sells get anywhere from 50 to 70 miles per gallon. Cristo said sales at his dealership were up 35 percent to 40 percent last month compared to May 2007. "It's dramatically increased," he said. The popularity of small- displacement models has been a large factor, he said. Manufacturers have been taking note and have been advertising to people interested in transportation, not just enthusiasts. Troopers worry that inexperience could put newer riders at greater risk. Of the 99 fatal motorcycle crashes they investigated from July 2006 to December 2007, 36 riders had beginner's licenses — the same number as those with a regular license. Twenty-five had no license and two had expired licenses. Motorcycle riders were at fault in about three-quarters of the fatal crashes. The major causes were speeding, failing to yield the right of way and driving under the influence. Most of those who died were middle-aged men not wearing helmets. Helmets are not required for riders 21 or older. Troopers hope to curb the problem with a safety campaign that distributes a DVD geared toward first-time riders. It will be available through dealerships starting today to anyone buying a motorcycle. Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com |
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Comments
This article has 16 comment(s)
Posted by ironhorse on June 11, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Harpo, why weren't you wearing a helmet on that vespa yesterday?
Posted by lou9 on June 11, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Three-fourths of the motorcycle/car accidents are the fault of the cyclist, the driver of the auto has to wear a seatbelt but the cyclist doesn't have to wear a helmet. That makes zero sense.
Posted by justtryin2survive on June 11, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have been taking my bike more often due to fuel prices. Trust me I would rather take my truck. I find it amazing that bikers are 3/4 at fault for crashes. I take my life in my hands riding Dorchester Road to N. Charleston Monday -Friday. Car/Truck drivers driving on my ass or pulling out in front of me. Please all drivers keep a safe distance from motorcycles we are not all asHHOles on two wheels. Some are just trying to get back and forth to work at a cheaper price. AND no, I'm not just a weekend rider and I have more miles backing up then some do riding. I'm just trying to make my ride safer and more enjoyable. THANK YOU!
Posted by ConcernedinCHS on June 11, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with number1volsfan1's comments.
I also took the motorcycle course at Trident Tech. It should be required for all riders. The two motorcycle policemen who taught the course were very knowledgeable and made the experience a fun one. I think it was around $100 and had a classroom portion on a Friday night and actual riding time the next morning.
Posted by DontSpamMeBro on June 11, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone interested in seeing some GREAT motorcycle riding should attend the Police Motorcycle Rodeo this Saturday at the Coliseum. It's free and it's fun to watch officers from all over the country do some "impossible" things on those motors.
Posted by BenDoubleCrossed on June 11, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NEITHER PARTY OFFERS THE SOLUTION:
END FOREIGN WARS AND DRILL FOR DOMESTIC OIL
A rapidly devaluing dollar, aggravated by the cost of the War in Iraq, contributes to recent rapid increases in the price of gas. And if the trillion plus dollars the US spent fighting that war had been invested in a Manhattan like project to produce oil from known reserves in the Gulf of Mexico, the Continental shelf and synthetic diesel/gas from American abundant coal fields, gas would be $2 a gallon or less.
And reducing trade deficits keeps jobs in America. Every billion of trade deficit costs 13,000 jobs. $400 billion for oil last year: do the math.
Plus declaring American energy independence is the neighborly thing to do. It would place downward pressure on world oil prices by making more OPEC oil available for the UK, France, Turkey, etc.
Call Congress and demand domestic production in this decade.
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_...
Posted by megaward on June 11, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems to me the idiots will weed themselves out, like not wearing a helmet and trying to cut off cars in heavy traffic areas, good riddance.
Posted by justtryin2survive on June 11, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I also took a motorcycle course and it was well worth it and I recommend it to any and all riders.
Posted by Girleygirl on June 11, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by ColdBeer on June 11, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't care how high the gas prices get, I don't wanna see and dead bikers rise....
We are just going to see more bicyclist deaths instead of motorcycles, maybe, hopefully not. I don't want to see neither & I do agree with you a well.
Posted by ForPnC on June 11, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DontSpamMeBro - Do you have any more info on the Police Motorcycle Rodeo? I'd like to see it.
Posted by jammer on June 11, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Palmetto Police Motorcycle Skills Competition http://www.ppmsc.net/
those two motormen that taught at TTC will be there competing, as well as many others....
it's an all day thing, bring water or something to drink
cool event
Posted by scooter on June 12, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is no doubt that biker's are on the rise. The statement that keeps popping up pertaining to new middle aged riders trying to re-live their younger days makes me laugh everytime I hear it. everyday that goes by, there are at least 1000 new drivers on the road. a new biker makes up about 1% of those numbers and the rest are cage's-ie-cars or trucks. The bikers pretty mush always get the blunt end of the stick either in the media or on the road. Its always the "in-experienced" bike rider.When are the reporters and officers gonna learn that,just because one passes a book test and a simple little road test that this does not make one in a cage MORE experienced in driving on the road. The written test for cage riders does not even mention what to do in the event of a biker coming up beside them or mention that bikes are on the road and to be cautious of them. Its always the bikers fault they say. The statement the trooper makes in this article is also false. According to the DOT report of South Carolina, of the 121 deaths between January 2007 and January 2008 involving bikers, only 24 of them were found to be at fault. This is less than one quarter certainly not three quarter's. And according to this report, 57 of those who died on their bike were wearing helmets (thus PROVING that helmets DO NOT SAVE LIVES)EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION is the key to saving bikers. NOT educationg JUST the biker---BUT ALL DRIVERS OF OUR ROAD SYSTEMS AROUND OUR COUNTRY!!! And if your gonna print or make statemnts to the public, tell the truth for Gods sake. Using this republican tactic to scare certain members of our citizen ship or just blaming one sector is pretty screwed up. The TRUTH is always easy to find and always comes out sooner or later. Why not sooner. I'm sure that alot of people are preety sore at themselves for putting bush and cheney back in office now that the truth about "ALQUDI IS COMING ALQUDI IS COMING" was a bunch of crap. More and more bikes will be hitting the road each passing day that gas and or oil prices rise. although its too late for some, its not too late for the rest of the soon to be riders of bikes. Educate ALL, the bikers and the cage riders. Raise the fines for failure to use due care of caution and you'll see a change of attitudes in the cage rider.
Posted by scooter on June 12, 2008 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And one more thing. One can tell by the comment by Harpo that he is exactly the kind of cage'r I am referring to. He needs to be educated about the fact that bikers have just as much right on the rode as he does. I'm sure that harpo has blown down the road like an IDIOT behind a wheel running late for work or what ever. The attitude he displays about:
"The good news is that motorcycles generally don't
kill too many others beside the rider and/or the
passenger. They tend to dent doors instead of knocking
other vehicles off the road"
Proves that he should not even be allowed on the roads at all. He is exactly the kind of cage'r that would run over a biker given the chance and use that same old lame excuse "I DID'NT SEE HIM OFFICER"---cager's like harpo should be MADE to ride a bike either driving or on the back as a passenger for a minum of 9 months. He would think twice about calling one of us an idiot then. Come to think of it, I believe his statement could even be considered a threat in a court of law.
Posted by reality_woman on June 12, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
8theistic you are as idiot. Not all bikers have total disregard of the laws or disrespect other motorists. Also, not all bikes are loud. This just proves your stupidity. Get a life and learn the facts before you open your mouth and insert your foot.
I happen to ride and have taken the MSF couse at Trident last year before I ever got on the roads. It is a valuable course and I think that everyone wanting to learn to ride should attend this course or a similar one. You can never know enough. I would love to ride my bke daily to work, but they way the people drive out there makes me worry too much. On my way home yesterday an impatient driver tailgated the motorcycle infront of him trying to make the guy go faster on the country road we were on. It is just plain ignorant to ever get that close to a bike, or another vehicle for that matter.
Posted by MyHumbleOpinion on June 12, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another benefit to taking the Motorcycle Safety Course is that most insurance companies will reduce your cost of coverage if you pass the course. At least mine did.
Posted by riddiksgirl on June 12, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are going to see a lot more crime period, with the rising cost of gas. I think about stealing it every day.