Motorcycle fatalities up across state
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NORTH CAROLINA -- With summer weather here, lots of folks are taking to the road on two wheels.
Fatal accidents involving motorcycles are becoming more common on North Carolina roads. The Highway Patrol says the rate's up 11 percent this year, Lieutenant Tim Monroe says "simply because there are so many more motorcycles out on the road."
The Patrol already reported 47 fatal motorcycle accidents this year in the state, compared to 93 all of last year.
Raleigh police report three motorcycle fatalities this year, compared to four last year. Greensboro saw four last year, with one fatal motorcycle accident reported so far this year. Charlotte has also recorded one fatal motorcycle accident this year, seeing five last year.
Those numbers are expected to climb.
Motorcycle safety is key.
"Motorcycles are becoming a lot more popular," said Monroe, adding, "they get a lot better gas mileage than a car, so a lot of people are using them now as an alternative."
Everyone agrees on the necessity of safety gear. Motorcyclists need to put on boots and long pants, a jacket, gloves and helmet before they head out on the highway.
Officer John Frison a motorcycle officer for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said, "t-shirts and flip flops are not going to cut it if the bike goes down, the asphalt is unforgiving."
Frison patrols about eight hours a day on a bike. He recommends a riding class, since most wrecks he sees are caused by lack of skills. He said it "helps out, keeps you out of a crash, and if you're going to be in a crash, it helps minimize your injures."
That's echoed by Greensboro attorney Heino Scharf, "if there's an accident -- chances are, you're going to lose."
The 61-year old started riding over thirty years ago, and last year made a coast-to-coast ride with a friend.
He recommended, "Always be a defensive driver, be very, very aware of what's going on around you."
Monroe rides, and wants other drivers to be aware of motorcycles. "Just give them a little extra room, they don't have any protection around them, all they have is the clothes they have on."