Motorcycle fatalities on the riseMore riders in South Carolina are enrolling in DMV training courses to obtain cycle licenses By Andy Paras (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Alan Hawes Adam Foster, 26, of Goose Creek takes the motorcycle road test Wednesday as Department of Motor Vehicles examiner Cindy Holliday observes him at the Leeds Avenue facility. Foster passed the test and earned a motorcycle license. 
The Post and Courier Read the Governors Highway Safety Association study. Trident Tech offers safety classes for beginner and intermediate motorcyclists. Go to tridenttech.edu/ce.htm and click on "driver education" in the course list. Or call Steve Price at 574-6683. Adam Foster swerved his 2007 Yamaha through orange cones and stopped repeatedly to the satisfaction of a DMV examiner Wednesday to become the latest of a growing number of South Carolina residents to earn a motorcycle license. The Goose Creek resident did it in sweltering 90-degree heat while decked out in a leather jacket and helmet and with a little help from a required motorcycle safety course that he took as a member of the Navy. Foster, 26, said the road course convinced him all riders should be required to receive training before getting on a bike. "Probably about 75 percent of the people I know who have been involved in motorcycle accidents are guys who just got their bikes," he said. A national study released Wednesday shows that motorcycle fatalities nearly doubled from 2,110 in 1997 to 4,810 in 2006 and that many states could do a lot more when it comes to required training, licensing and awareness. The upswing in deaths was prevalent in South Carolina, where the 109 motorcycle deaths in 2006 accounted for 11 percent of all fatalities,despite motorcycles accounting for only 4 percent of all registered vehicles in the state, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, which did the study. Preliminary numbers released by the S.C. Department of Public Safety show fatalities rose to 120 in 2007, and there were 52 as of June 15 this year. State authorities say they expect the numbers to continue to climb because of more inexperienced riders, heavier and faster motorcycles and fewer bikers wearing helmets. The study says that in 2006, 81 of the 109 riders killed in South Carolina crashes weren't wearing helmets, though it doesn't say how many of those deaths were attributed to head injuries. The state is looking at ways to change state law to improve safety. While not expected to mandate all riders wear helmets — state law only mandates helmets for those 21 and older — it could require inexperienced riders to wear them until they complete safety courses. South Carolina is one of 27 states with helmet laws covering some riders. Twenty states require everyone to wear them. Authorities say rising gas prices also appear to be driving more people to drive motorcycles to work. The number of licensed motorcycle drivers also rose from 114,312 in May 2006 to 128,643 in May 2008. The report says several states are having training capacity problems since motorcycle sales more than tripled from 356,000 in 1997 to 1.1 million in 2006, but South Carolina isn't one of them. Still, officials say more people are enrolling in classes. There's been a sudden increase in popularity in the beginner and intermediate courses at Trident Technical College, according to Steve Price, educational program consultant for the school's continuing education division. Their classes already are full for July, but spots still are open for August. The study states that in 2006, 25 percent of motorcycle operators killed in crashes did not have a valid license. The S.C. Highway Patrol found a similar problem here when it studied 99 fatal motorcycle crashes between July 2006 and December 2007. Thirty-six had beginner's permits and 25 had no licenses. Reach Andy Paras at 745-5891 or aparas@post andcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 22 comment(s)
Posted by jammer on June 19, 2008 at 6:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
congrats Adam!!!!
now he's one of the LICENSED motorcyclist on the road... most fatalities are people WITHOUT a license, and many without as much as a permit
same thing with car fatalities, we have wayyyy too many unlicensed people on the road, fix that and you'll fix the majority of our fatalities
but they even let kwandjo ride off on a suspended license with dope in the car after a traffic stop so what do you do with that??
Posted by Early on June 19, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Please take the motorcycle safety courses at Trident Technical College. I promise you, it can save your life and is challenging even for the most experienced riders. I have 35 years on a bike and the advanced class showed me some new things. Don't cost much either
Posted by ed52 on June 19, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
early, tell me more about the content of the class.
Posted by dapi on June 19, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Riders, both seasoned and new, have to take responsibility for themselves and their passengers. There's going to be more of us, without doubt, given economics..and the fun factor (remember that?). Dealers MUST step up to the plate & provide new riders with proper info on where to take MSF safety courses. I've taken all 3 levels, intermed. one twice, and they are worth every penny..and your hide. 38 yrs riding & counting. Riders: don't wait for government to control things.. wear a damn helmet & be a little hot, for Crissakes! Your head will lose a matchup w/cement EVERY time. Helmets are worthless hanging off the bike, too. Now go out there & be careful! Have fun too. DP
Posted by NativeSon on June 19, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Only an idiot would mount a motercycle without a helmet. So, if you see a motorcyclist driving down the road while not wearing a helmet, you know that you are looking at one of the dumbest morons on the planet!
Posted by robert8096 on June 19, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I’m a rider, have a motorcycle license, wear a helmet and full riding gear. If they want to reduce fatalities then there should be laws in place to stop and fine people in cars who, talk on their cells, text message and all the other things that distract from their driving. Most of my close encounters are with divers who are distracted.
The other thing that scares me is the people that drive around with no license and insurance.
I ride my bike to work but I never get on the Interstate during rush hour traffic because of the way people drive. It’s scary just doing that in my car. When I do ride to work I take the side roads and on some days that can be nerve racking.
The second thing that needs to be address is the attitude of some of the cycle riders. I have seen riders with high performce bikes and cruisers exceeding the speed limit, doing stunts or just being disrespectful to other motorist.
Motorcycle training should be mandatory for all new riders as well as a motor CC limitation for young adults and beginners.
Both cyclist and motorist need to work together to reduce all traffic fatalities.
Posted by bkeelin on June 19, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
motorcycle training should not be mandatory. More government regualtion is NEVER, I repeat, NEVER the answer. Every time the government passes a new regulation we lose more of the freedoms we were granted when this country was formed. Please stop telling other people what they MUST DO. If you want the training to save your life then by all means get the training. We cannot regulate ignorance, nor should we try. We are free to make our choices and live with the consequences.
Posted by oldglory on June 19, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The reason government regulation increases is because the -majority- of people refuse to use common sense/common courtesy.
I'm for less government regulation; however, when people promote less government, they are overlooking the victims who pay for a lifetime because someone refused to use common sense. Consider being brain dead/paralyzed for life, etc., knowing that some nitwit was talking on a cellphone while driving or driving drunk and just didn't see you--no intent involved, of course.
Posted by megaward on June 19, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They should get rid of the helmet laws, then the idiots will weed themselves out.
Posted by Early on June 19, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ed52, sure, it's a comprehension course with class time and track time. It usually starts on Friday afternoon and over Saturday evening. It's like taking a souped-up driver license test. There is cones, courses where you must clearly lean the bike as if to avoid a vehicle perpendicular to you. Teaches you how to brake excessively by sitting on your tank to get as my pressure on your front suspension. Practices slow maneuvers such as being in heavy stop and go traffic. Each bike I get I go to the course because it gets you really familiar with the bike. Classroom time is mostly films and safety review, minor bike repairs etc. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.
Posted by bkeelin on June 19, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Common Sense cannot be mandated. It is either taught by the parents or family members or learned at the school of hard knocks. In your post, first you said "we cannot mandate common sense either", then you said "it must be mandated", you were right the first time.
Posted by Charles_Town on June 19, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
volsfans1, I like your comments on this article.
Posted by ed52 on June 19, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thanks early. Megaward,we are not required to wear helmets. many of us choose to wear helmets . oh ,thanks for you caring comments.
Posted by grannyofsix on June 19, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
my son inlaw who is 2 years younger then me ( my daughter liked older men)wears a helmet and has always worn one he has been riding a motor bike since the 60s and he is thinking of taking those classes to to refresh
Posted by LadyTarHeel on June 19, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It makes me nervous when I get near a motorcyclist not wearing a helmet. I try to allow them plenty of room to maneuver if necessary just in case someone doesn't see them and I don't want to be a witness to someone's untimely demise. My dad rides his bike to work back home and he has told me numerous times how people (in cars and on bikes) drive like dummies. I don't know if he has taken any type of safety course since I was a baby when he got rid of his first bike (back in 84 I think), but reading some of you guy's posts, I will definitely mention it to him. Thanks a bunches...especially you Early!
Posted by RedSnappa on June 19, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Remember what Trauma surgeons call them........DONOR CYCLES
Posted by bkeelin on June 19, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes and next thing you know they will take your guns away for not having safety locks, your kids away for teaching the bible and your freedom away because you speak out against the tyranny that has fallen upon us because of "common sense laws". This is exactly the kind of freedom stealing, socialist approach the liberals use to bring the American people under their control.
No thanks, I'll take freedom over security every day.
Posted by Slick50 on June 19, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LadyTarHeel...I ride a motorcycle and do appreciate the fact that you are practicing defensive driving by allowing just a little more room for people like me to maneuver. If everyone gave up just a few feet of road space, the highway would be a lot safer place to drive. Thank you.
Posted by burton on June 19, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad to hear that more people are taking the MSF classes. I'm an MSF RiderCoach and teach the classes. The main things we concentrate on are U-turns, cornering, stopping quickly, and swerving. All are skills that you need while riding. I've found that some of my worse riders have been those riding for 20+ years (they have bad habits that have just not caught up to them yet).
Spread the word to anyone you know that is thinking of buying a bike or hasn't had a refresher course in years or never: tell them all to take a MSF course! The skills that we teach may save their lives one day!!
Posted by jammer on June 19, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
train as often as you can, I do too and I've been riding nearly 35 yrs
go check out the police rodeo at the coliseum saturday, starts at 9am I believe
I rarely wear a helmet, that doesn't make me an idiot... it makes me a certified organ donor as shown on my DL :)
Posted by KDB4 on June 20, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i agree with everyone , especially robert8096. ^
This is the nicest comment forum i have ever read.
Posted by jammer on June 20, 2008 at 5:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
one last thing, if you go out to the coliseum parking lot where they are having the rodeo and watch you will notice paint markings on the asphalt for where they put the cones
long after the rodeo is gone those paint marks are still there, I go there and practice through the same courses quite often using those paint marks
with a little practice you get really fluent at it
there's also old paint marks in the parking lot on the montaque rd side where that small white ticket booth is
watch how the guys go into each exercise and try to recreate that on your own time using those paint marks later, keep it wide until you learn how to bring it tight... lots of clutch and rear brake riding against high enough rpm's to keep the motor running, but not too high...