Motorcycle Fatalities Down on Virginia Roadways
November 3, 2012
Preliminary
Data released by the Virginia Highway Safety Office (VAHSO) shows that
motorcycle fatalities for 2012 are down by 17.86% as compared to
motorcycle fatalities for 2011 at this same time last year. As of
October 31, 2012 there have been 69 motorcycle fatalities in Virginia.
As of October 31, 2011 there were 84. This is very good news for
Virginia Motorcyclists. By contrast, fatalities involving car occupants
has increased by 3.11 % while fatalities involving bicyclists have
increased by 33.33%. While occupants of pickup trucks, vans and SUVs
also saw decreases in fatalities, those decreases were not as large as
the decrease in motorcycle related fatalities.While even a single motorcycle fatality is one too many, we all understand that fatal crashes are a risk taken by every person who uses the public roadways regardless of the type of vehicle used or occupied. We also understand that from year to year there will be a natural rise and fall in these numbers that are beyond human control. For instance, some years will have more days that are conducive to motorcycle riding than others. We would naturally expect to see a rise in fatalities during such years simply because there are more motorcycles on the roadways.
That being said, a drop in motorcycle fatalities is good news for motorcyclists on two levels. The first and most important is that fewer of our brothers and sisters are dying. That is good news for us and our loved ones. The second is that when fatalities drop our state government is less likely to use its legislative power to attempt to protect us. As we are only two months away from the Virginia General Assembly’s 2013 session we should all be sensitive to that. Many of you remember the bill a few years ago that would have prevented motorcycles from using certain bridges when the weather forecast called for high winds. That legislation was the result of a single motorcycle fatality. Luckily the bill was ultimately withdrawn by the patron after sitting down with motorcyclists who were able to explain that high winds had not been a problem, and that motorcyclists do a very good job of determining when, and when not to use certain routes depending upon conditions and their own riding skills and experience.
The Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists has long taken the position that education is the single most effective measure to prevent motorcycle fatalities. That means both rider education and awareness education. We are lucky in Virginia. We have a very strong rider education program, and a driver’s education system that makes motorcycle awareness part of its curriculum.
I think that I speak for all Virginia Motorcyclists when I say that I hope that we continue to see a decline in not only motorcycle fatalities but crashes as a whole. Let’s each do our part to help that happen. If you know a rider who has not yet taken a rider education course, encourage them to do so. If it has been a while since you have taken one yourself, consider doing it. The worst thing that could happen is that you will have spent a weekend riding and brushing up on your skills. The best thing that could happen is that you could be Virginia’s next non-statistic.
As always, if you have any questions concerning the information in this article or on any other matter please feel free to contact me at 1-800-321-8968 or email me at matt@motorcyclelawgroup.com.
Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com
