Motorcyclists gather in Mesa to raise awareness

ARIZONA:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/05/23/20100523mesa-motorcyclists-awareness-accident.html Motorcyclists gather in Mesa to raise awareness by Jim Walsh - May. 23, 2010 01:54 PM The Arizona Republic Their hearts swelled with sorrow, about 350 motorcyclists clad in yellow and orange thundered away from Mesa Riverview mall Sunday morning on a mission to promote safety in the wake of a tragedy.
The "Can You See Me Now" ride did more than honor the four motorcyclists killed on March 25 when they were run over while waiting at a stop light in north Phoenix by dump truck driven by a man accused of driving under the influence of methamphetamine.
The ride's goal was to eliminate future tragedies by urging car and truck drivers to avoid distractions, such as talking on cell phones or texting, and to look out for motorcyclists.
The event quickly struck a nerve by focusing on a chronic visibility problem that motorcyclists say has only worsened as cell phones and texting became commonplace. Within a month, it turned into a national and international event, with motorcycle groups in 45 U.S. cities and several foreign countries as far away as Australia participating.
"Long overdue, this day, this event," said Tamie DeLoach, a motorcycle rider from Glendale. "People are so caught up in their little world. They get tunnel vision. It's so selfish."
Paul Totonchi, founder of the Phoenix M.C. Kruzers motorcycle group, lost his wife, Dayle Veronica Downs-Totonchi, 47, in the gruesome wreck at 27th Avenue and Carefree Highway. Also killed were Clyde R. Nachand, 67; Stephen Punch, 52; and Daniel L. Butler, 35.
"We just want people to notice we are out on the road," Totonchi said. "The main message is don't get distracted, just drive."
John Fox, founder of the Phoenix Motorcycle Riders, said 38 percent of motorcycle fatalities are caused by drivers of cars and trucks making left turns and hitting motorcycles.
Detective James Holmes, a Phoenix police spokesman, applauded the ride, saying its part of the healing process for motorcyclists who want to do something constructive after such a horrific event.
"This is a truck rolling over bikes like bowling pins," he said. "They never knew it was coming."
Holmes said most drivers they tend not to see motorcycles or bicycles because they are in the habit of watching out for other cars.
While drivers should make an extra effort to look out for motorcyclists, the motorcyclists also should exercise extra caution looking out for cars, he said.
Michael Jakscht, 46, of Scottsdale, the dump truck driver in the gruesome collision, remains at Maricopa County's Fourth Avenue Jail where he awaits trial on four counts of manslaughter, five counts of aggravated assault and seven counts of endangerment.
A motion for Jakscht's release was withdrawn by his attorney Thursday and he is scheduled to appear at a pretrial conference June 3 before Superior Court Commissioner James Rummage.
On Sunday, the motorcycle riders made a 120-mile loop around Valley freeways that ended at Greasewood Flat, a restaurant in north Scottsdale.
Jim Morin of Mesa, who organized the event, said the turnout was better than expected. He said a handful of drivers along the route made a "thumbs up" or "hang loose" gesture to show their support.