Preliminary numbers show 20 rider deaths to-date compared to 13 fatalities at this time last year in Minnesota.
By Hannah Gruber
Motorcycle fatalities continue to rise with 20 rider deaths so far in 2012 compared to 13 rider deaths at this time last year, according to preliminary numbers from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
By Hannah Gruber
Motorcycle fatalities continue to rise with 20 rider deaths so far in 2012 compared to 13 rider deaths at this time last year, according to preliminary numbers from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
An Oakdale man died from head trauma earlier this month after swerving his motorcycle to miss a deer near Amery, Wis. He was not wearing a helmet.
He was not the first local fatality. Earlier this year a Lake Elmo man also died in western Wisconsin after he was ejected from his motorcycle despite wearing a helmet and a Stillwater man who was not wearing a helmet died in a motorcycle crash north of Forest Lake.
In Minnesota, 10 percent of motorcycle fatalities are deer-related, said Bill Shaffer, the program coordinator for the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center (MMSC).
"That is way up from the 90s, probably because of the (growing) deer population and more motorcyclists," Shaffer said.
That's why he urges motorcyclists to take safety training on a regular basis. The MMSC provides rider education, training and licensing.
"If you ride long enough there will be situations where there will be crashing," Shaffer said.
Unlike some states, motorcycle training is not mandatory in Minnesota. Of experienced motorcyclists, only about 500 people take training out of more than 400,000 motorcyclists in the state, Shaffer said.
"That tells us that once people get their license they are done, but that's really not the case," Shaffer said. "If you're not out there building your skills and challenging yourslef
Motorcycle training includes:
He was not the first local fatality. Earlier this year a Lake Elmo man also died in western Wisconsin after he was ejected from his motorcycle despite wearing a helmet and a Stillwater man who was not wearing a helmet died in a motorcycle crash north of Forest Lake.
In Minnesota, 10 percent of motorcycle fatalities are deer-related, said Bill Shaffer, the program coordinator for the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center (MMSC).
"That is way up from the 90s, probably because of the (growing) deer population and more motorcyclists," Shaffer said.
That's why he urges motorcyclists to take safety training on a regular basis. The MMSC provides rider education, training and licensing.
"If you ride long enough there will be situations where there will be crashing," Shaffer said.
Unlike some states, motorcycle training is not mandatory in Minnesota. Of experienced motorcyclists, only about 500 people take training out of more than 400,000 motorcyclists in the state, Shaffer said.
"That tells us that once people get their license they are done, but that's really not the case," Shaffer said. "If you're not out there building your skills and challenging yourslef
Motorcycle training includes:
- Quick stopping drills
- Swerving safely
- Advanced courses like "Brake and Escape"
- Proper gear