The number of motorcycle deaths keeps growing. As of this week, 29 cycle riders have been killed on Minnesota highways. That total is three more than this time last year. Last year was an all time 20 year high for yearly deaths. This is not a number that we want to see broken.
To address the problem, the Transportation Department is developing national standards for entry-level riders and has launched an educational campaign on the importance of wearing helmets and other safety gear. Congress has also become involved, authorizing $2 million to study crash causes.
For every driver and rider, it’s important that the following be kept in mind:
1. Yield the right-of-way.
2. Start seeing motorcycles.
3. When on a motorcycle, make sure people see you.
4. When just starting to ride, make sure you have the correct training.
The road is big enough for everyone.
A recent Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial got a number of comments after it made the following suggestions to deal with the increase:
- Increased training of new drivers.
- More emphasis on sober riding.
- The Increased use of safety equipment.
- Drivers paying more attention on the roads.
The discussion about helmets dominated most of the responses. Clearly, this is one there may not ever be an agreement on, but as to the other suggestions, they really make a lot of sense. Every new driver needs to get the all important training that riding a motorcycle isn’t like a bike or a car.
