A task force is trying to reduce Maine’s surging motorcycle deaths

The spike in fatalities prompted state officers in July to kind the particular motorbike security process drive.

The group collects info on every deadly crash to seek for widespread elements, then brainstorms associated measures that would defend motorbike riders sooner or later, Moss mentioned. The measures the group has mentioned haven’t been restricted to these straight involving motorbike riders. The group can also be taking a look at measures concentrating on car drivers that may make motorbike riders safer.

The duty drive contains state workers from the state bureaus of Freeway Security and Motor Automobiles in addition to regulation enforcement and motorbike rider representatives, in accordance with Chris Eire, Director of License Providers on the Maine Bureau of Motor Automobile and the group’s co-chair.

“The concept is to have a look at among the larger, systemic issues we may tackle as a state and inside motorbike using communities to handle the excessive variety of fatalities we’ve had this yr and stop it from going within the improper course in following years,” Eire mentioned. “Nothing is off the desk at this level.”

The group discovered an absence of bike coaching and riders not carrying helmets to be widespread elements in deadly motorbike crashes, Moss mentioned. 

Solely 9 of the 30 individuals who have died in motorbike crashes this yr have been carrying helmets, in accordance with Moss. Twenty-one of the 28 motorbike operators who’ve died this yr had a state motorbike endorsement, and 16 of those that died had some type of legitimate motorbike coaching on file with the Bureau of Motor Automobiles, Moss mentioned.

Although the security process drive hasn’t made any formal choices or suggestions, Eire mentioned the group is contemplating how drivers’ ed programs might be improved to extend younger drivers’ consciousness of bikes.

Additionally within the working is how the state may encourage motorcyclists to take superior motorbike coaching programs.

Eire mentioned the group is even contemplating making suggestions for altering indicators and vegetation at street intersections so drivers have a clearer view of approaching motorcyclists.

Eire didn’t know when the duty drive plans to launch formal suggestions, however he harassed the significance of obeying the pace restrict, carrying a helmet and never working below the affect.  

“Helmets aren’t necessary within the state of Maine, however from a fatality prevention perspective, it’s a acknowledged mitigation,” Eire mentioned. “The helmet doesn’t forestall the accident, however it might enable you to survive it.”

Mainers should buy and register a bike with out holding a bike endorsement on their driver’s license, in accordance with Eire. Motorcyclists additionally don’t have to finish a bike security course or put on a helmet once they experience, although the state recommends each.

Eire additionally urged car drivers to “look twice and look thrice” for bikes, which are sometimes tougher to see, when coming into an intersection, merging or altering lanes.

“Our brains are coachable, and so they be taught to search for what we’ve taught them to search for,” Eire mentioned.

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