While a fewer than normal number of Missouri car accidents were reported over the Fourth of July weekend, St. Louis motorcycle accidents and accidents involving motorcycles elsewhere in Missouri continue to be a concern through the summer riding season.
The Missouri State Patrol reported three fatal accidents over the holiday. "Three deaths is still "more than we would like to see," State Patrol Lt. Mark Langer told the Star Tribune. "But it is far less than we have seen in recent years."
One of the accidents involved a motorcycle rider who struck a deer on Hwy. 169 near Garrison. The 63-year-old rider was killed in the crash.
But about half of Missouri motorcycle accidents are the fault of another motorist; the number one cause is failure to yield the right of way to a motorcycle when a vehicle is making a turn or exiting a private drive, parking lot or side street.
At least three riders have been seriously injured or killed this week in Missouri motorcycle accidents, including a man who died after colliding with a city bus in Columbia, CBS13 reported.
In 2008, motorcycle accidents claimed the lives of 5,290 riders nationwide and injured more than 96,000, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Missouri motorcycle accidents claimed 102 lives, placing the state among 17 that recorded more than 100 motorcycle fatalities.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers car and truck drivers 10 Things they should know about motorcycles:
-Fewer motorcycles than passenger vehicles are on the road, making motorcycles more difficult to see. Watch for bikes, particularly at intersections.
-Motorcycles may look further away than they are and their small size can make judging speed difficult. Predict a motorcycle is closer than it appears and, if in doubt, wait for it to pass before proceeding into the roadway.
-A motorcycle is easily hidden in a car's blind spot. Take a moment to check thoroughly for a rider before changing lanes or turning at an intersection.
-Their small size may make a motorcycle appear to be speeding. Don't assume all riders are speed demons.
-Motorcycles often slow down by shifting or rolling off the throttle, making brake lights a poor judge of a rider's intentions. Allow 3 to 4 seconds following distance and anticipate a rider will slow down without warning.
-Many motorcycle turn signals do not shut off on their own, making them a poor indicator of a rider's intentions. Make sure a signal is for real before proceeding.
-A motorcycle is entitled to its own lane. Don't crowd a rider or attempt to share a lane. A rider may move around in a lane to avoid debris, to mitigate wind or for other reasons not apparent to a motorist in a passenger car.
-Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, but don't expect a rider to always be able to dodge out of the way.
-The required stopping distance for a motorcycle is nearly the same as that of a car. Wet pavement or other conditions can make stopping more difficult. Allow plenty of following distance and don't expect a rider to be able to stop on a dime.
-Think of a moving motorcycle as a person. It is just as vulnerable.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a Missouri motorcycle accident, contact St. Louis Injury Lawyer Ryan R. Cox for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 636-946-6886.
