WASHINGTON:Washington Trooper clocks motorcycle at 152 mph

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.clutchandchrome.com/news/news/trooper-clocks-motorcycle-at-152-mph Washington Trooper clocks motorcycle at 152 mph Saturday, 17 April 2010 | Written by Digits | |

There were 152 reasons for a tragic ending, but in this case of speeding motorcycle and State Trooper it’s a story of amazement and slight amusement.

It was last Sunday, April 11th when a Washington State Trooper watched an approaching motorcycle clock 152 mph on his dashboard mounted radar. The trooper took a second reading as the rider approached and a third after the motorcycle had screamed by. Reportedly, all three readings confirmed the speed of 152 mph.

The speed limit on that particular stretch of road, Highway 14 near Maryhill located on the Washington Oregon border is 60 mph.

The Trooper turned around and pulled over the motorcyclist who was riding a 2008 Ninja ZX-14, a Kawasaki built for speed and performance. The rider was Matthew M. Jackson, 39, of Vancouver who admitted that he no idea how fast he was going and had ‘just opened it up.’

That ride on his 1352cc Ninja ZX-14 cost Jackson a $441 speeding citation and lecture from the State Trooper who according to official reports, explained the potentially deadly result of hitting a deer or running into rocks at that speed.

The Washington State Patrol told reporters high speed is one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatality collisions, along with driving while intoxicated.

"Eighty percent of fatal motorcycle collisions are now the fault of the rider," said State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste.

"Half of fatal collisions don't even involve a second vehicle," he notes.