Motorcycle professionals use the phrase “dress for the crash”…yes, as a safety researcher, we’re seeing a darmatic increase in motorcycle crashes – injuries and fatalities!
Sorry, but as a safety educator, especially in transportation…from my research and “on scene” observation, “motorcycles” are one of the most dangerous forms of transportation. In fact, they’re usually the messiest to clear and investigate. What doesn’t help, are the poor excuse for a helmet “skull caps-beannie cap” type helmets! Wear a full helmet! But then again, that only protects the head to a point – but not the torso of the body….especially when striking an object at a high rate of speed.
Examples:
From San Diego Police:
Date: December 16, 2004 – 9:14am
17TH STREET at C STREET, EAST VILLAGE
Type: SERIOUS INJURY COLLISION
Synopsis:
P-2 was a 56-year-old male driving a 2001 Harley Davison Electra Glide Classic motorcycle eastbound on C Street. P-1 was a 19-year-old female driving a 1999 Nissan Sentra southbound on 17th Street. P-1 stopped at the stop sign but then proceeded into the intersection into the path of P-2 who struck her broadside. P-2 was wearing a “half shell,” helmet that did not fully cover his head. He suffered a skull fracture and has a brain injury. He was transported to UCSD Hospital for treatment. P-1 did not have any injuries. Traffic Division is handling the investigation.
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Date: November 12, 2004
From the California Highway Patrol El Cajon Office:
On November 12, 2004 at approximately 12:50 PM Mr. Jeffery Abbey (51, San Diego) was traveling e/b on SR-78 on a 1999 Suzuki SV650 at approximately 40-45 m.p.h. Mr. Abbey entered into a right curve that was posted with a suggested speed of 30 m.p.h. Mr. Abbey was unable to negotiate the curve and crossed over the solid double yellow line. Mr. Wayne Jones (65, Ramona) was traveling w/b on SR-78 in a 1998 Chrysler Town and Country van at approximately 40 m.p.h. Mr. Jones observed the motorcycle cross over the double yellow lines directly in front of him. He swerved to the right. However, he was unable to avoid colliding with the motorcycle. The force of the collision fully ejected Mr. Abbey from the motorcycle where he collided with the windshield and A-Pillar of the van.
Mr. Abbey was wearing a leather jacket and a full-faced helmet. However, he sustained major trauma to his head, face, neck, and chest. Mr. Abbey was transported by air ambulance to Palomar Hospital in Escondido where he is in critical condition. Mr. Jones as well as his three female passengers were uninjured. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
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Date: Sunday, May 2, 2004:
Names Released Of Fatal Motorcycle Crash Victims
(Ramona) – Authorities Monday released the names of two people killed in motorcycle crashes over the weekend. A man who died in a motorcycle crash on a remote road in Ramona was identified as Stan Hutchinson of San Diego. Hutchinson crashed on state Route 78 near Ramona Trails Drive at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday. He was not wearing a helmet.
(Pauma Valley) – 53-year-old Patricia Diane Skiver of Oceanside died when she failed to negotiate a curve and slammed into a guardrail on Cole Grade Road at about 1:40 p.m. Sunday. She died at the scene of the crash.
On Saturday, May 1, 2004:
(Fallbrook) – Two people who died Saturday when their motorcycle went out of control on Mission Road have been identified as David and Susanita Ward of Oceanside.
The motorcycle slid across the road and into a pickup truck about 7:10 p.m., the Medical Examiner’s Office said.
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Date: March 27, 2004
Location: 66TH @ MADERA – ENCANTO
Type: SERIOUS INJURY MOTORCYCLE COLLISION
Synopsis: 30 yr old David Smith was riding a motorcycle on 66th St at a speed too great for conditions. He hit some sand and lost control. He struck the curb then a utility pole. He sustained fractures to both legs. He was transported to a local hospital. Traffic is investigating.
-0- Date: December 30, 2004
Location: 4126 EXECUTIVE DR, UNIVERSITY CITY
SERIOUS INJURY CRASH-MOTORCYCLE
Synopsis: P-2, a W/M 24, riding on a Yamaha motorcycle was W/B on Executive Drive in the number one lane. P-1, a W/F 23, driving a Honda Civic was going E/B when she decided to make a U-turn. As she turned she collided with P-2 in the number one W/B lane. P-1 suffered a compound fracture to his right femur and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
I highly recommended to take a professional motorcycle riding course, and when riding “be alert and be prepared”!
Just the facts….
