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Biker fatalities raise concerns
Nueces County ranks 9th in state in 2005
By mary ann cavazos Caller-Times
November 27, 2006
A steady increase in the number of motorcyclist deaths in Nueces County over several years has prompted law enforcement, safety and transportation officials to take an aggressive approach in preventing fatal traffic accidents.
"When we noticed the spike, we knew we had to do everything we could to educate people," said Capt. Robert MacDonald, Corpus Christi police traffic supervisor. Public service announcements, safety presentations at community events and meetings with motorcycle clubs were all part of the effort to reach riders.
Nueces County, which has a population of more than 300,000, was ranked ninth in the state based on the number of motorcyclist deaths in 2005, according to a statistical study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There were 10 motorcyclist deaths in the county that year.
Bexar County, which includes San Antonio and has a population of about 1.5 million, ranked 10th on the list with nine deaths. Harris County, which includes Houston, had the highest number of motorcyclist deaths in 2005 with 47 in a population of 3.7 million. There were a total of 360 deaths in the state that same year.
Since January, three riders have died in traffic accidents in Corpus Christi, MacDonald said.
In May, two motorcyclists were struck by a Jeep Cherokee after the vehicle crossed a median, sideswiping one rider and colliding with the second. A third man was killed in an August motorcycle accident after he lost control of the bike and struck a center median at a highway overpass.
"It wasn't just the high number of fatalities we were concerned about - it was all the injuries. One group lost five guys over the years and another was crippled," MacDonald said. Road rash, broken bones and loss of limbs are other injuries that riders must face, he said.
Although inexperienced riders cause many deaths, a majority were caused by excessive speed or riders using highways to pull dangerous tricks.
"We have to have a zero-tolerance policy. When we see someone stunt riding or racing we'll stop them, ticket them or arrest them and impound the bike," MacDonald said. "We're doing education and enforcement."
Motorcycle operators must hold a valid motorcycle license, which they receive after passing a written test covering traffic laws pertaining to motorcycles and a road test. The road test may be waived.
Bill Strawn, traffic safety specialist for the Texas Department of Transportation said the increase in fatalities is a statewide trend.
"The numbers have gone up every year. We've got to teach people that speed and don't wear helmets that they are not invincible," Strawn said.
To help prevent fatal traffic accidents, the Texas Department of Transportation plans to launch the statewide Motorcycle Safety Awareness program by late 2007.
Kevin Pacacha, who has been a motorcycle rider for 27 years, said he makes a point of always wearing a helmet and obeying traffic laws but fears a small number of riders are giving motorcyclists a negative image.
"A lot of kids have easy access to sport bikes and are not educated on how to handle them. Most of them don't wear helmets either," said Pacacha, sales manager at Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson.
Texas law states that to be exempt from wearing a helmet, a rider must be at least 21 years of age and have completed a motorcycle safety course or be covered by a health insurance plan with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for motorcycle-related injuries.
Pacacha said sport bikes often are available at lower costs than larger, more durable bikes, drawing younger riders with less disposable income.
During the past year he's seen dozens more people register for the store's three-day long safety classes than last year.
"Sometimes the accidents aren't even the rider's fault. It's other vehicles. People will change lanes without signaling," Pacacha said.
Contact Mary Ann Cavazos at 886-3623 or HYPERLINK mailto:[email protected] [email protected]
Biker fatalities raise concerns
Nueces County ranks 9th in state in 2005
By mary ann cavazos Caller-Times
November 27, 2006
A steady increase in the number of motorcyclist deaths in Nueces County over several years has prompted law enforcement, safety and transportation officials to take an aggressive approach in preventing fatal traffic accidents.
"When we noticed the spike, we knew we had to do everything we could to educate people," said Capt. Robert MacDonald, Corpus Christi police traffic supervisor. Public service announcements, safety presentations at community events and meetings with motorcycle clubs were all part of the effort to reach riders.
Nueces County, which has a population of more than 300,000, was ranked ninth in the state based on the number of motorcyclist deaths in 2005, according to a statistical study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There were 10 motorcyclist deaths in the county that year.
Bexar County, which includes San Antonio and has a population of about 1.5 million, ranked 10th on the list with nine deaths. Harris County, which includes Houston, had the highest number of motorcyclist deaths in 2005 with 47 in a population of 3.7 million. There were a total of 360 deaths in the state that same year.
Since January, three riders have died in traffic accidents in Corpus Christi, MacDonald said.
In May, two motorcyclists were struck by a Jeep Cherokee after the vehicle crossed a median, sideswiping one rider and colliding with the second. A third man was killed in an August motorcycle accident after he lost control of the bike and struck a center median at a highway overpass.
"It wasn't just the high number of fatalities we were concerned about - it was all the injuries. One group lost five guys over the years and another was crippled," MacDonald said. Road rash, broken bones and loss of limbs are other injuries that riders must face, he said.
Although inexperienced riders cause many deaths, a majority were caused by excessive speed or riders using highways to pull dangerous tricks.
"We have to have a zero-tolerance policy. When we see someone stunt riding or racing we'll stop them, ticket them or arrest them and impound the bike," MacDonald said. "We're doing education and enforcement."
Motorcycle operators must hold a valid motorcycle license, which they receive after passing a written test covering traffic laws pertaining to motorcycles and a road test. The road test may be waived.
Bill Strawn, traffic safety specialist for the Texas Department of Transportation said the increase in fatalities is a statewide trend.
"The numbers have gone up every year. We've got to teach people that speed and don't wear helmets that they are not invincible," Strawn said.
To help prevent fatal traffic accidents, the Texas Department of Transportation plans to launch the statewide Motorcycle Safety Awareness program by late 2007.
Kevin Pacacha, who has been a motorcycle rider for 27 years, said he makes a point of always wearing a helmet and obeying traffic laws but fears a small number of riders are giving motorcyclists a negative image.
"A lot of kids have easy access to sport bikes and are not educated on how to handle them. Most of them don't wear helmets either," said Pacacha, sales manager at Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson.
Texas law states that to be exempt from wearing a helmet, a rider must be at least 21 years of age and have completed a motorcycle safety course or be covered by a health insurance plan with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for motorcycle-related injuries.
Pacacha said sport bikes often are available at lower costs than larger, more durable bikes, drawing younger riders with less disposable income.
During the past year he's seen dozens more people register for the store's three-day long safety classes than last year.
"Sometimes the accidents aren't even the rider's fault. It's other vehicles. People will change lanes without signaling," Pacacha said.
Contact Mary Ann Cavazos at 886-3623 or HYPERLINK mailto:[email protected] [email protected]
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