N.C. Highway Patrol launches aggressive motorcycle safety campaign

OFF THE WIRE
N.C. Highway Patrol launches aggressive motorcycle safety campaign

http://www.enctoday.com/news/motorcycle-66872-kfpress-local-first.html

A deadly cycle
Highway Patrol launches aggressive motorcycle safety campaign as crash totals double
July 17, 2010 12:00 AM
Wesley Brown
Staff Writer
A significant rise in motorcycle crash injuries in Eastern North Carolina this year has prompted local N.C. Highway Patrol offices to engage in an aggressive motorcycle safety awareness campaign throughout the summer months.

First Sgt. Charles Johnston, head of the SHP’s district office for Jones and Lenoir counties, said the amount of crashes in the two counties that involved wounded riders has more than doubled in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same time lat year.

Johnston said the spike featured an increase to 15 motorcyclists hurt in collisions between Jan. 1 and July 14, with one ending in death, as opposed to seven during the same timeframe in 2009, which had zero fatalities.

“Economic conditions and warmer weather have stimulated increased motorcycle use and many riders are not prepared to operate these vehicles in a safe manner in various traffic and weather conditions,” Trp. J. S. Collins, a traffic safety information officer for the agency’s ENC offices, said in a press release. “Motorcyclists, as well as all vehicles, should exhibit safe driving habits at all times.”

In a move to curtail this trend, Johnston said the local barrack has spent the past month compiling a report documenting the more popular violations witnessed during motorcycle stops.

Johnston said speed and failure to see motorcycles approaching continues to be leading contributing factors in motorcycle collisions in North Carolina.

He added obeying speed limits and avoiding aggressive driving will greatly reduce the number of highway crashes.

“Motorcycles are some of the smaller vehicles and people have a hard time seeing them come down the highway versus a car,” he said. “It is important that they drive with caution.”

As part of the overall goal of crash reduction and injury prevention, the highway patrol will be conducting check points throughout Eastern North Carolina to ensure compliance with and knowledge of license, equipment and helmet requirements.

Some reminders troopers will highlight in federal and state laws include that motorcycle operators are required to have a special endorsement on their driver’s license authorizing the use of a motorcycle and helmets must have a firm inner liner of polystyrene foam of one inch thickness and a “DOT” sticker that is permanently attached by the manufacturer.

“Novelty type” helmets with thin foam liners which may come with a bogus “DOT” sticker are illegal.

Motorists should be aware that officers will not allow further operation of a motorcycle if legal requirements are not met, meaning bikes would need to be safely parked or towed by the operator and alternate means of transportation acquired.

Johnston said besides education at checkpoints, the state offers programs to enhance a driver’s knowledge and practical operational skills unique to motorcycles.

Motorcycle specific testing is offered at the local driver’s license offices to evaluate an applicant’s knowledge and skill level.

Motorcycle operator safety courses are offered through some local community colleges as well as “Bike Safe,” which is conducted by the North Carolina Highway Patrol at various locations, including Camp LeJeune and Cherry Point Marine Bases in past years.

Johnston said although the lone death, a Jones County man who hit a deer going the speed limit last month, was not a violation of the law, people should not overlook the dangers of motorcycles.

“Fifteen crashes involving injuries doesn’t sound like a lot, but when motorcyclists are involved in collisions, a lot of the times, they suffer serious injuries,” Johnston said. “It’s not like you can have a wreck on a motorcycle and walk away from it most of the time.”

Wesley Brown can be reached at 252-559-1075 or wbrown@freedomenc.com.

Breakout: Safety tips for motorcyclists and their passengers

Wear sturdy shoes or boots and brightly colored – red, yellow, orange and white – abrasion resistant pants, chaps, jackets and gloves to stand out on the road and reduce skin injuries in the event of a fall.
Protective eye wear is essential to prevent foreign objects from damaging the eyes. Dust, dirt, or insects striking the eye at highway speeds can cause permanent damage or create a distraction that may contribute to a crash.
Always use headlights and strategically use your lane position, as well as reflective tape and stickers, to make you more visible to other motorists.
Use turn signals for every turn or lane change, even if you think no one will see them, and combine hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to yourself.
Helmets save lives. Helmets are the primary safety device, which is mandatory in North Carolina and must be properly secured with a retention strap.
Source: N.C. Highway Patrol