The number of motorcycle fatalities across the province appears poised to reach a seven-year high by the end of 2014, prompting Ontario Provincial Police to issue a public warning to riders and motorists.
So far this year there have been 26 motorcycle fatalities on Ontario highways and police say they are concerned the total number of fatalities may ultimately surpass the 29 recorded in 2013, which was the most since 2007.
In 2013, there were nine motorcycle fatalities in the months of September and October.
“It is a serious issue and we need to get the awareness out there to motorcyclists and motorists to be careful when you are driving on the highways because we still have a lot of riding time left,” Sgt. Kerry Schmidt told CP24 Thursday morning. “It is a little surprising but it is not the young guys that are getting killed on these motorcycles. It is the people who are 45 to 54, they are crashing during daytime hours, the roads are dry and there really is no reasoning.”
While speed plays a role in many accidents, Schmidt said that in 50 of 175 motorcycle fatalities since 2008 police have discovered that that the rider was driving properly at the time.
For that reason, the OPP is targeting both motorcycle riders and motorists with their safety warning.
“We need to remind the motorists that they contribute to a lot of these deaths inadvertently,” Schmidt said. “They change lanes or make some movement and the motorcycle is not able to react to it. Check your blind spots. It is a shared responsibility.”
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