TxDOT: Motorcyclists dying in record numbers

McALLEN, Texas — Former McAllen firefighter Ronaldo "Ronnie" Gomez considers himself one of the lucky ones.

In May 2008, a suspected drunk driver clipped him as he turned his motorcycle at the intersection of North 10th Street and Trenton Road.

He sustained a punctured lung, broken ribs, a broken eye socket, a broken nose and hip injuries. And the lower portion of his left leg would be amputated.

But he survived.

"I was in bad shape," Gomez recalled. "The doctor said that if it wasn't for the physical condition that I was in — a condition you have to keep up when you're a firefighter — I might have not come out of it."

The 28-year veteran firefighter would have to learn how to walk again with a prosthesis; his injuries would force him to retire.

"It's usually the guy that you don't see that gets you," he said, reflecting on the wreck during a recent interview.

Experts agree.

The two places where serious motorcycle collisions commonly occur are at intersections and when changing lanes, Texas Department of Transportation officials said.

The agency launched a "Share the Road" campaign in April in part to highlight a dire trend: Motorcyclists are dying in record numbers, and if aggressive steps to promote safety on the road are not taken, the statewide death toll could double within four years, according to a TxDOT news release.

Motorcyclists and their passengers accounted for 14 percent of the state's traffic deaths with 434 fatalities in 2009, the year for which the most recent statistics were available, according to TxDOT. More than 5,800 others were also seriously injured that year.

The 60-year-old Gomez, who began riding motorcycles when he was 15, noted two key survival factors: Experience and training, he said, will help motorcyclists learn how to better maneuver their bikes during heavy traffic, hazardous weather and emergency situations.

But there has been a dramatic increase in the number of new motorcyclists on the roadways, which might mean more inexperienced drivers. The number of motorcycles in Texas alone has more than doubled to 422,815 in the last decade and is expected to double again in the next four years, according to TxDOT.

Rising gasoline prices may be one of the driving forces behind the spike.
"We know that 66 percent of motorcycle crashes result in death or serious injury for the motorcyclist," said Carol Rawson, TxDOT's Traffic Operations director. "As more and more people turn to motorcycles for affordable transportation and recreation, it's more important than ever to remind drivers to look twice for motorcycles."

At least three people from the Rio Grande Valley have died in collisions since the beginning of the year, including Edcouch-Elsa School Board President Benigno "Benny" Layton, who was involved in a single-vehicle accident near San Antonio.

Layton was wearing a helmet at the time of the wreck, but even with the protective gear, drivers are still vulnerable because motorcycles don't have seatbelts, which increases the risk of ejection.

Under Texas law, all riders under the age of 21 are required to wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle. But riders 21 and older may choose to ride without one if they have completed a safety course or are covered by an applicable insurance plan.

The Department of Public Safety location in McAllen does not offer any training courses, but there are at least two other locations where riders can look for guidance — Edinburg's Coastal Cycle Academy, which meets at the University of Texas-Pan American's parking lot, and Harlingen's Texas State Technical College, 1902 North Loop 499. The courses are designed to help both new students and more experienced drivers, as well.

Despite his wreck, Gomez continues to ride — on a slightly modified three-wheeled motorcycle with his firefighter riding club, the Dragon Slayers.

But he offers a word of caution.

"I have friends that said to me, `I have a bike and I saw your accident and I don't trust myself with it,'" Gomez said. "If you have any negative thoughts about riding, don't get on it because you have to have a clear mind when you ride.

"You have to be in the right mindset."

-------
Source: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7585759.html
By Naxiely Lopez, The Monitor

The Cole Legal Group Promotes “Sharing the Road” with Motorcycles By Joining Efforts with State and Federal Partners

May Proclaimed Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

[Dallas, Tx] – Motorcyclist fatalities have steadily increased over the past decade. In fact, there was a 2 percent increase in fatalities from 5,174 in 2007, to 5,290 in 2008.

That’s why The Cole Legal Group announced today that it is joining with other federal, State and local highway safety, law enforcement, and motorcycle organizations in proclaiming May as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.”  All motorists and other road users are reminded to safely “share the road” with motorcycles and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe.  Motorcyclists are reminded to make themselves visible to other motorists.  All road users are reminded to never drive, walk or bicycle while distracted.

“As the weather improves, more and more motorcyclists are hitting the roads,” said local biker friendly lawyer, David Cole. “And with that in mind, pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers of all vehicles, including SUVs, passenger cars or trucks, need to be extra attentive and make sure you ‘share the road.’  A motorcycle is one of the smallest vehicles on our roads, often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Everyone needs to aggressively look for them.”

It’s crucial that motorists and bicyclists always make visual checks for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.  Pedestrians should also scan for motorcyclists who might be hidden by other traffic.

“Motorcyclists have responsibilities, too,” Cole said. “They should follow the rules of the road, be alert to other drivers, never ride while impaired or distracted, and always wear a Department of Transportation-compliant helmet and other protective gear.”

Cole said that a motorcyclist is much more vulnerable than a passenger vehicle occupant in the event of a crash.  He said that research  from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in traffic crashes.

David Cole offered several tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways:

• Remember, the motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle on the roadway.  Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width—never try to share a lane;
• Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections;
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic;
• Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle – motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed;
• Allow more following distance, three or four seconds, when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. And don’t tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.
• Never drive while distracted. 

Davide Cole said motorcyclists can increase their safety by:

• Avoiding riding in poor weather conditions;
• Wearing brightly colored protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet;
• Using turn signals for every turn or lane change, even if the rider thinks no one will see it;
• Combining hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to themselves;
• Using reflective tape and stickers to increase conspicuity; and
• Positioning themselves in the lane where they will be most visible to other drivers.
• Never driving while impaired. 

Our message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: make this the first year in recent years when motorcycle fatalities do not increase. Help to share in the responsibility and do your part by safely “sharing the road.”