FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2007
CONTACT: L/Cpl. Sonny Collins, 803-896-8144
FOUR BIKERS DEAD SINCE START OF BIKE WEEKS; FAILURE TO YIELD MAJOR FACTOR IN COLLISIONS
COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Highway Patrol is urging motorists to be aware of the surge in motorcycle traffic until the end of the month throughout the state but particularly in coastal areas. Four bikers have died in Bike Week-related crashes and there have been 91 collisions since the beginning of Harley Week on May 11. Three of those four deaths involved failure to yield. One of the fatal collisions involved a biker on the way to Myrtle Beach.
Problem areas along the Grand Strand include: Highway 17 Business, 82nd Avenue, and the back gate to the old Air Force Base. Law enforcement today began a coordinated, stepped up enforcement effort using additional motor units from the Highway Patrol and local agencies. One cause of concern stems from bikers traveling in groups. Bikers are taking risks such as running red lights and speeding to keep up with their groups often leading to collisions.
Myrtle Beach Bike Week runs from May 11-20 followed by the Atlantic Beach Bike Festival from May 23-28.
“We have just begun a two-week period in which thousands upon thousands of motorcyclists will converge on our state,” said Highway Patrol Col. Russell Roark. “This means motorists need to be on heightened alert for motorcycle traffic using special caution when changes lanes or pulling out into traffic.”
As of May 18, 2007, 30 motorcyclists have died compared to 43 at this time last year.
While South Carolina is down in motorcycle deaths compared to 2006, motorcycle collisions and fatalities have consistently risen in South Carolina and nationwide in recent years. There was a jump in motorcycle deaths in 2006 prompting the SC Department of Public Safety to organize a committee to review motorcycle safety issues.
Spring and summer also invite a surge in motor vehicle traffic on the roadways as vacation travel begins picking up. The mix of motorcycles and increased motor vehicle traffic can have deadly consequences.
“Our most important advice right now is “Share the Road,” Roark said. “A 3,000 pound car is easy to spot as opposed to a motorcycle that can get in your blind spot or seemingly come out of nowhere. Motorists must make an effort to interact with motorcycles.”
Failure to yield -- on the part of either the motorcyclist or the driver -- is the leading cause of fatal motorcycle crashes in South Carolina. This arises largely out of inattention. Speed is also another common factor in fatal crashes.
South Carolina requires that those under 21 years of age wear a helmet.