Motorcycle Deaths Increase

Beth Janicek

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 395

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Already this year the deaths from motorcycle accidents have almost doubled the amount from last year in San Antonio. Police have tallied 13 deaths this year compared to 8 for entire year of 2007. Although statewide statistics are not immediately available, Texas Department of Public Safety's Motorcycle Safety coordinator John Young reports that he has heard of an increase throughout the state.

Preliminary statistics show about 400 people died as a result of motorcycle crashes in Texas last year, up from 346 in 2006, Young said. He added that 63 percent of them were not wearing helmets, which Texas does not require.

There has been an increase in people obtaining a drivers license for a motorcycle. With gas prices continuing to rise, more people are expected to buy motorcycles to save money.

Young encourages various safety measures, including the wearing of protective gear; defensive riding; and avoiding risk-taking behavior such as speeding, weaving in traffic and riding while intoxicated. A recent news release from DPS reports nearly half of all motorcycle fatalities involved alcohol use by riders or the driver of another vehicle.