Davis Law Group, P.S.

Use Common Sense: Don't be a Motorcycle Statistic

In 2009, there were 69 deaths associated with motorcycle accidents in the state of Washington. The following numbers have been compiled from the Washington Department of Licensing and the FARS report. There are many factors that contribute to these tragedies, that make many of them completely preventable.

• No Helmet: In Washington State, it is required by law to wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle. Yet 9 of the 69 deaths were due to the rider not wearing a helmet or wearing a helmet improperly.

• Alcohol: In 23 of the 69 deaths, alcohol was present. Thirty-three percent of these fatalities had a BAC level of .08% or more.

• Speed: In 39 of 62 motorcycle drivers were speeding in the fatal crashes.

• Drugs: Of the 69 fatalities, 23 motorcycle drivers were impaired by various drugs.

• Training: Seventy-percent of the motorcycle drivers in the crashes had no proper motorcycle safety training.

• Lack of Endorsement: Of the 62 motorcycle driver fatalities, 13 did not have a motorcycle endorsement.

It such an overwhelming tragedy when you lose a loved one. It is even more heartbreaking when it was caused by carelessness behavior. If these motorcycle drivers had followed the law, they would not have been in a fatal accident.

Remember, in Washington State it is required to have a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license and/or to take a motorcycle safety course. As a better educated motorcyclist, statistically you are less likely to be involved in an accident.

Davis Law Group encourages you to ALWAYS USE COMMON SENSE when riding your motorcycle. If you are not in the right state of mind to be driving, don’t. If the roads are wet and dangerous, don’t risk it. And most importantly, do not drive if you have been drinking. You are a danger to yourself and others on the road.

What else should be done in Washington State to enforce safe motorcyclists?

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