Title: Cooperation Between Motorists and Bikers Needed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                           

May 18, 2006

CONTACT:  S/Tpr. Sonny Collins, 803-896-8144

 

     SCDPS, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT URGE COOPERATION BETWEEN MOTORISTS, BIKERS 

 

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are urging more cooperation on the roadways between bikers and motorists – especially along the Grand Strand in Horry County this week and next. Motorcycle registrations and fatalities are on the rise in South Carolina underscoring the need for heightened safety and awareness throughout the year.

 

So far this year, five motorcyclists have died at the Myrtle Beach Bike Week event – all the result of failure to yield

violations.

 

The Highway Patrol, Horry County Police Department, Myrtle Beach Police Department and Gene Lummus, Carolina

Harley Davidson Dealers Association held a joint news conference today at the Hard Rock Café at Broadway at the Beach.

The effort was to send a strong, unified safety message to prevent further loss of life during the rallies.

 

 “It is a commonly held misconception that motorcyclists are usually the ones at fault in a collision. In fact, two thirds of the time the other vehicle is responsible for pulling into the motorcycle’s path,” said Highway Patrol Col. Russell F. Roark. “That’s why it is critical for motorists to be on heightened alert for motorcycles not just these two weeks but to make it a practice.”

 

The 2006 Myrtle Beach Bike Week began last weekend and will run through May 21. Next week another surge of bikers will pour into Atlantic Beach for the Atlantic Bike Festival beginning May 24 and running through May 29.

 

As gas prices have risen so have motorcycle registrations and fatalities involving motorcycles. According to the SC Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 56,457 registered motorcycles in 2001. That number rose to 85,265 in 2005. during that same time period, motorcycle related fatalities also rose from 70 (56 not wearing a helmet) in 2001 to 94 (64 not wearing a helmet) in 2005.

 

Motorcycles pose a different set of challenges and dangers on the roadway. The most obvious is that the motorcycle rider does not have the steel-cage protection, seat belt, air bag and other safety devices of a motor vehicle. They are exposed to the weather and other elements that could cause them to lose control of the vehicle. The lighter weight of the motorcycle can be a hazard as well. Potholes, railroad tracks, oil slicks, ice, puddles, road debris…can be deadly for a biker.

 

Troopers report a pattern in the observed violations and other dangerous driving behaviors that can lead to collisions at the large bike events:

 

Violations leading to collisions:

n      failure to yield;

n      driving too fast for conditions;

n      driving under the influence;

n      improper lane change.

 

Other problems include:

n      out-of-state bikers unfamiliar with South Carolina laws such as the requirement that people under the age of 21 are required to wear a helmet; and that no more than two motorcycles can ride side-by-side in one lane;

n      motorcycles riding in large groups and taking unnecessary risks – such as running stop lights – to keep up with the group; troopers advise groups to preplan their destination. 

n      motorcyclists riding in between two cars where there is no lane.

n      turning left on yellow or red lights.