Although motorcycle deaths in Maine are almost half of what they were a year ago, the Maine State Police has organized a working group to review last year’s numbers. 2015 ended with 32 motorcycle deaths. So far this year there have been six motorcycle deaths, compared to ten at this same time in 2015.
The study group is made up of the Maine State Police, the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, the Maine Department of Transportation, the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Maine Motorcycle Political Action Committee, and the United Bikers of Maine.
John Kohler, motorcycle-safety program coordinator from the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, compiled these statistics of the 2015 fatal motorcycle crashes:
– All crashes occurred during dry road conditions.
– 74 percent were during daylight hours.
– 73 percent involved excessive speed.
– In 74 percent, alcohol use was confirmed or suspected.
– 33 percent were a result of improper cornering.
– 74 percent of the drivers were not wearing a helmet.
– Nearly half of crashes did not involve other vehicles.
– Three involved wildlife (two deer, one moose).
The group also concluded that poor judgment by the operator of the motorcycle was a factor in most of the crashes.
The latest motorcycle death took place recently in China, when the motorcycle pulled out in front of a vehicle. Seventy-three-year-old Leonard Huff from Saxonburg, Pa. died from his injuries at the hospital. The crash took place as Huff was driving out of the parking lot of a restaurant along Route 3 and into the path of an oncoming car.
The motorcycle study group had the following safety tips:
– One should not ride a motorcycle unless properly trained and licensed to do so.
– If properly licensed, one should take an experienced rider’s course to freshen up his or her skills.
– Slow down, especially on corners and rough terrain.
– Don’t ride impaired by alcohol or drugs.
– Wear proper safety equipment: a helmet with a face shield or eye protection, a jacket, boots, gloves, and leather gear.
