Post by earlwb on Jun 7, 2007 10:52:36 GMT -5
This was in the news about Arlington Texas.
What i hate is the attitude some people have in regards to hitting a motorcyclist or cyclist for that matter.
The fact that some motorists would actually rationalize it using, 'It's just a rider; he deserved it.' is just plain shocking.
Be careful out there.
Rash of motorcycle deaths worry officials
By TRACI SHURLEY
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Star-Telegram/Bruce Maxwell
Motorcycle-car collisions often happen when the car pulls out in front of the biker. A DPS official says drivers often misjudge how far away an approaching motorcycle is. ARLINGTON -- More than a third of the 13 people killed in Arlington traffic this year have been motorcycle riders, a percentage that dwarfs that of previous years.
The trend has police looking for a common thread and trying to find solutions. All five victims were men riding what officers consider "sport bikes," fast, light motorcycles with quick acceleration. Speed was also noted, at least initially, in four of the crashes.
Sport bikes have not been involved in all serious motorcycle collisions this year. But Sgt. Jeff Pugh of the department's traffic unit said sport bike enthusiasts seem more prone to "pushing the motorcycle and themselves to the limit just to see how far they can take it."
Police hope that reaching out to motorcycle riders, especially those with sport bikes, with an offer of training courses will help. They plan to ask area dealers to work with police in encouraging riders to get more training.
"We realize that not all motorcycle operators, let alone all sport bike operators, violate the laws of the road. It just seems that those are the types of motorcycles reported to 911 for reckless behavior at high speeds," Pugh said.
Collision trends
The rise in fatal motorcycle crashes became more clear early Wednesday after a fifth motorcycle-related death. Richard Phelps, 44, was thrown from his 1998 Buell motorcycle after he lost control while trying to merge onto Texas 360 from East Pioneer Parkway. He was then hit by a car.
Police continue to investigate that crash and are still looking for witnesses and the vehicle that hit Phelps.
More details about this year's motorcycle deaths:
Three of the five motorcycle riders killed were wearing helmets.
Three of the crashes involved another vehicle, two of them midsize cars.
Three of the victims were men in their 20s.
Motorcycles have increased in popularity in the past decade, and so has the number of motorcycle-related deaths, according to federal statistics. In Arlington, motorcycle riders or passengers made up about 12 percent of traffic deaths from 2003 through 2006. In Fort Worth, about 15 percent of this year's fatal crashes -- 6 of 39 -- have involved a motorcycle, police said.
Safety training
Robert Leatherwood, general manager at Arlington Motorsports, said he finds the increase distressing. But he said he isn't certain that offering additional safety training would help. Salesmen already strongly encourage every new rider to only buy a bike they can handle and to take training courses administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety, he said.
"So many people today are more interested in just hopping onto a bike and driving off," Leatherwood said. "They just don't cover their bases before they get going."
Pugh said investigators plan to review fatal collisions to find out how much experience the victims had.
Last year, the DPS issued about 41,000 new motorcycle licenses or endorsements. But only 32,000 people took the state-approved riding courses from private vendors or schools in 2006. The basic course focuses on cornering, braking, swerving to avoid hazards and fighting inattention, said Clif Burdette, coordinator of the Motor Safety Unit at the DPS.
Leatherwood said many of the crashes he hears about involve riders who attempt maneuvers they aren't experienced enough to handle.
Sport bikes, which can go 160 miles per hour, give riders "that feeling that they're stronger than they are," Leatherwood said.
Other motorists
Motorcyclists are also easy victims for inattentive drivers.
In 2006, two people on motorcycles died in Haltom City, both because cars pulled out in front of them, said Haltom City Sgt. Terry Stayer.
In Arlington, 22-year-old Andre Booker died April 19 after his motorcycle collided with a Kia Rio in the 7800 block of South Cooper Street. The driver of the Kia, who was turning onto Cooper, was cited for failing to yield the right of way.
Booker was a star running back on the Samuel Clemens High School football team in Schertz. He also played at Texas State University and the University of Houston, relatives said.
Booker had been riding his motorcycle for about a year and a half and had only recently moved to Arlington, said his father, R.L. Booker, who lives in Schertz.
"What we were told is that the lady who hit him just didn't see him. It truly was an accident," said the elder Booker, who now cares for his 4-year-old grandson, Andre Jr.
Burdette said drivers often misjudge how far away an approaching motorcycle is. The Department of Public Safety recently issued a statement urging car and truck drivers to take extra care with motorcycles.
It said that more than half of motorcycle crashes are caused by other drivers and encouraged drivers to give riders the space and respect they need.
"I've honestly had people tell me, 'It's just a rider; he deserved it.' I say, 'Excuse me, that could be your brother, sister, mother or father,'" Burdette said. "Riders are just people. They're on a different mode of transportation because it's something they enjoy."
2007 Arlington motorcycle deaths
June 6: Richard Phelps, 44, of Arlington was killed after losing control of his motorcycle. Arlington police are looking for the driver whose vehicle hit him about 12:40 a.m. Wednesday in the 1900 block of south Texas 360. Phelps' death was Arlington's 13th traffic death this year.
Phelps was trying to enter the ramp to northbound Texas 360 from East Pioneer Parkway at a high speed when he lost control, drove through a grassy median and hit a guardrail. He was thrown from the bike and landed on an entrance ramp, police said. A vehicle hit him and drove off without stopping, according to accident investigators.
Police are looking for the driver and any witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call Safe City Commission Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County at 817-469-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.469tips.com. Tipsters remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
May 31: Dustin Lee Summers, 25, died after he fell off his Kawasaki Ninja in the 900 block of North Collins Street and hit another vehicle. Police said Summers and another motorcycle rider were racing. The accident happened when Summers crested a hill and tried to stop.
May 3: Clinton Gilmore, 22, died after his Kawasaki Ninja hit a median at Northwest Green Oaks Boulevard and North Cooper Street. A bystander told police Gilmore was driving "very fast" north on Cooper Street and had popped a wheelie just before entering the intersection. He was thrown from the motorcycle.
April 19: Andre Booker, 22, was killed when his Yamaha motorcycle hit a Kia at Cooper Street and Commercial Boulevard South. Investigators said the driver of the Kia failed to yield the right of way.
March 16: Marshall Williams, 41, died after wrecking his Suzuki motorcycle in the 6100 block of New York Avenue. Accident investigators cited Williams' "failure to control speed" as a contributing factor. He was unable to negotiate a curb and slid into an iron fence.
Source: Arlington Police Department
Training courses
The Texas Department of Public Safety offers basic classes for $190 and courses for experienced riders for $80. To find one nearby, go to www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb.
What i hate is the attitude some people have in regards to hitting a motorcyclist or cyclist for that matter.
The fact that some motorists would actually rationalize it using, 'It's just a rider; he deserved it.' is just plain shocking.
Be careful out there.
Rash of motorcycle deaths worry officials
By TRACI SHURLEY
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Star-Telegram/Bruce Maxwell
Motorcycle-car collisions often happen when the car pulls out in front of the biker. A DPS official says drivers often misjudge how far away an approaching motorcycle is. ARLINGTON -- More than a third of the 13 people killed in Arlington traffic this year have been motorcycle riders, a percentage that dwarfs that of previous years.
The trend has police looking for a common thread and trying to find solutions. All five victims were men riding what officers consider "sport bikes," fast, light motorcycles with quick acceleration. Speed was also noted, at least initially, in four of the crashes.
Sport bikes have not been involved in all serious motorcycle collisions this year. But Sgt. Jeff Pugh of the department's traffic unit said sport bike enthusiasts seem more prone to "pushing the motorcycle and themselves to the limit just to see how far they can take it."
Police hope that reaching out to motorcycle riders, especially those with sport bikes, with an offer of training courses will help. They plan to ask area dealers to work with police in encouraging riders to get more training.
"We realize that not all motorcycle operators, let alone all sport bike operators, violate the laws of the road. It just seems that those are the types of motorcycles reported to 911 for reckless behavior at high speeds," Pugh said.
Collision trends
The rise in fatal motorcycle crashes became more clear early Wednesday after a fifth motorcycle-related death. Richard Phelps, 44, was thrown from his 1998 Buell motorcycle after he lost control while trying to merge onto Texas 360 from East Pioneer Parkway. He was then hit by a car.
Police continue to investigate that crash and are still looking for witnesses and the vehicle that hit Phelps.
More details about this year's motorcycle deaths:
Three of the five motorcycle riders killed were wearing helmets.
Three of the crashes involved another vehicle, two of them midsize cars.
Three of the victims were men in their 20s.
Motorcycles have increased in popularity in the past decade, and so has the number of motorcycle-related deaths, according to federal statistics. In Arlington, motorcycle riders or passengers made up about 12 percent of traffic deaths from 2003 through 2006. In Fort Worth, about 15 percent of this year's fatal crashes -- 6 of 39 -- have involved a motorcycle, police said.
Safety training
Robert Leatherwood, general manager at Arlington Motorsports, said he finds the increase distressing. But he said he isn't certain that offering additional safety training would help. Salesmen already strongly encourage every new rider to only buy a bike they can handle and to take training courses administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety, he said.
"So many people today are more interested in just hopping onto a bike and driving off," Leatherwood said. "They just don't cover their bases before they get going."
Pugh said investigators plan to review fatal collisions to find out how much experience the victims had.
Last year, the DPS issued about 41,000 new motorcycle licenses or endorsements. But only 32,000 people took the state-approved riding courses from private vendors or schools in 2006. The basic course focuses on cornering, braking, swerving to avoid hazards and fighting inattention, said Clif Burdette, coordinator of the Motor Safety Unit at the DPS.
Leatherwood said many of the crashes he hears about involve riders who attempt maneuvers they aren't experienced enough to handle.
Sport bikes, which can go 160 miles per hour, give riders "that feeling that they're stronger than they are," Leatherwood said.
Other motorists
Motorcyclists are also easy victims for inattentive drivers.
In 2006, two people on motorcycles died in Haltom City, both because cars pulled out in front of them, said Haltom City Sgt. Terry Stayer.
In Arlington, 22-year-old Andre Booker died April 19 after his motorcycle collided with a Kia Rio in the 7800 block of South Cooper Street. The driver of the Kia, who was turning onto Cooper, was cited for failing to yield the right of way.
Booker was a star running back on the Samuel Clemens High School football team in Schertz. He also played at Texas State University and the University of Houston, relatives said.
Booker had been riding his motorcycle for about a year and a half and had only recently moved to Arlington, said his father, R.L. Booker, who lives in Schertz.
"What we were told is that the lady who hit him just didn't see him. It truly was an accident," said the elder Booker, who now cares for his 4-year-old grandson, Andre Jr.
Burdette said drivers often misjudge how far away an approaching motorcycle is. The Department of Public Safety recently issued a statement urging car and truck drivers to take extra care with motorcycles.
It said that more than half of motorcycle crashes are caused by other drivers and encouraged drivers to give riders the space and respect they need.
"I've honestly had people tell me, 'It's just a rider; he deserved it.' I say, 'Excuse me, that could be your brother, sister, mother or father,'" Burdette said. "Riders are just people. They're on a different mode of transportation because it's something they enjoy."
2007 Arlington motorcycle deaths
June 6: Richard Phelps, 44, of Arlington was killed after losing control of his motorcycle. Arlington police are looking for the driver whose vehicle hit him about 12:40 a.m. Wednesday in the 1900 block of south Texas 360. Phelps' death was Arlington's 13th traffic death this year.
Phelps was trying to enter the ramp to northbound Texas 360 from East Pioneer Parkway at a high speed when he lost control, drove through a grassy median and hit a guardrail. He was thrown from the bike and landed on an entrance ramp, police said. A vehicle hit him and drove off without stopping, according to accident investigators.
Police are looking for the driver and any witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call Safe City Commission Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County at 817-469-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.469tips.com. Tipsters remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
May 31: Dustin Lee Summers, 25, died after he fell off his Kawasaki Ninja in the 900 block of North Collins Street and hit another vehicle. Police said Summers and another motorcycle rider were racing. The accident happened when Summers crested a hill and tried to stop.
May 3: Clinton Gilmore, 22, died after his Kawasaki Ninja hit a median at Northwest Green Oaks Boulevard and North Cooper Street. A bystander told police Gilmore was driving "very fast" north on Cooper Street and had popped a wheelie just before entering the intersection. He was thrown from the motorcycle.
April 19: Andre Booker, 22, was killed when his Yamaha motorcycle hit a Kia at Cooper Street and Commercial Boulevard South. Investigators said the driver of the Kia failed to yield the right of way.
March 16: Marshall Williams, 41, died after wrecking his Suzuki motorcycle in the 6100 block of New York Avenue. Accident investigators cited Williams' "failure to control speed" as a contributing factor. He was unable to negotiate a curb and slid into an iron fence.
Source: Arlington Police Department
Training courses
The Texas Department of Public Safety offers basic classes for $190 and courses for experienced riders for $80. To find one nearby, go to www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb.
At least when we were young and foolish we didn't have toys that could go 150-200 MPH. I have seen several "crotch-rocket" riders doing all kinds of stunts on the road, and it's really scary watching them----plus they give us all a bad name cause the cagers dont know the difference between them and a scooterist. Art