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Posted: 2:39 PM Apr 16, 2010
Focusing on Motorcycle Safety and Traffic Law Enforcement
Richmond, Va. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Virginia Highway Safety Office announced Friday that select law enforcement agencies across Virginia will focus on the safety of motorcycle riders through strict enforcement of all traffic laws.
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3 Comments 
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Virginia Highway Safety Office announced Friday that select law enforcement agencies across Virginia will focus on the safety of motorcycle riders through strict enforcement of all traffic laws.
As part of a statewide effort, on the weekend of April 17 and 18, law enforcement will conduct enhanced efforts on speeding, improper licensure, drinking and riding, and other infractions that are major risks to the safety of motorcyclists.
The initiative is in response to recent data showing a general decline in traffic fatalities overall, but a surge in deaths and injuries among motorcycle riders.
“While Virginia has seen a decrease in motorcycle fatalities since 2007, there are still far too many lives being lost as the result of motorcycle crashes," says DMV Commissioner Richard Holcomb, the Governor's Highway Safety Representative. "We must all work together to reverse this trend."
In 2009, there were 71 motorcycle fatalities and 1,938 reported injuries in Virginia.
“Training is the key," says Holcomb. "The more you learn, the better rider you become. The Virginia Highway Safety Office urges all riders and potential riders to take one of the motorcycle safety courses offered throughout Virginia.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,290 motorcyclists were killed in 2008, an increase of two percent over the 5,174 who died in 2007. There were 96,000 motorcyclists injured during 2008.
“Motorcycles make up two percent of all registered vehicles in the Virginia, yet in 2009, they accounted for nine percent of total traffic fatalities, ten percent of all occupant fatalities, and three percent of all occupants injured," says Holcomb. "Per mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash. Unlike passenger cars, there's no protection on a motorcycle, which greatly increases the likelihood of being seriously injured or killed in an crash."
© Copyright 2012 WHSV / Gray Television Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Latest Comments
In 2007 126 bikers were killed. In 2008, it was 79. Last year it was 71. Virginia's motorcycle fatalities continue to drop to 2006 levels. When the deaths peaked, DMV officials made efforts at strengthening motorcycle safety classes and putting more riders with training on the road. It has worked. There is no need for this enforcement unless it is to make more money for the state.
Richard, you are right on. I lived in the Valley for 13 years and rode many a mile thru vriginia and west virginia and have had many instances of cars pulling out, peoples dogs running loose and in front of me and even people hauling stuff to the dumps and dropping stuff into the roads. But leave it to oor politicans to go after the motorcyclist's!
I know there are idiot bikers out there who are not very safe but I'd bet that if the data was analyzed, more motorcyclists are injured because of someone else's mistake rather than their own. I advocate for motorcycle training safety and have been through it myself. In my opinion it should be mandated. I wear the proper gear and ride within the limits of my own control but I can't tell you how many times I've been cut-off, or how many times a car has pulled out in front of me. It's a shame the state's answer is to go after motorcyclists with more strict enforcement when it's the idiots on 4 wheels that really need the training!
