Temperatures are on the rise, and so are the number of motorcycle accidents.
Motorists aren't used to seeing motorcycles on the street and riders are out of practice after the winter months, which causes an increase in the number of motorcycle accidents, said Topeka Police Department Capt. Jerry Stanley.
Joshua Mulqueen, 22, was one of three motorcyclists who were involved in accidents within a 21/2-half hour span Tuesday. Mulqueen was injured at 5:35 p.m. at S.W. 17th and Stone Avenuein a two-vehicle accident, said police spokeswoman Kristi Pankratz.
Mulqueen, who wasn't wearing a helmet, was transported to Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center with life-threatening injuries. He remained in critical condition Thursday.
City police have worked four motorcycle accidents so far this month.
"It's a seasonal thing," said Phil Gordon, 31, of Carbondale, who has been around motorcycles for 25 years and has ridden street bikes for 17 years.
Gordon rides at least once a month year-round, which keeps his skills honed, and performs maintenance on his motorcycles as needed. He also is a member of the Topeka Sports Riders club.
New riders should take part in a training program and wear helmets, Gordon and Stanley said.
"I've never seen a motorcycle accident that hasn't involved an injury, even if it's just a scrape," Stanley said. "I'd much rather have the helmet hit the ground than a head."
Only three motorcyclists among the 12 involved in accidents so far this year in Topeka were wearing helmets, Pankratz said. All three involved in Tuesday's accidents were riding without helmets.
In the majority of fatal motorcycle wrecks, the motorcyclists aren't wearing helmets, Stanley said.
"A $50 helmet can save a life," Gordon said. "I used to make fun of people who wore helmets. Now, I don't feel comfortable without it."
Many people who spend money purchasing a motorcycle don't have enough money left over to purchase the proper gear, he said, which is why the Topeka Sports Riders club would like to work with area motorcycle shops to offer discounts on helmets and other safety gear.
Stanley, who worked with the police motorcycle unit for 11 years, said officers on the unit know firsthand that helmets can save lives and prevent injuries because they have themselves been involved in accidents on duty and off duty.
An officer was injured Feb. 27 in the 2800 block of S.W. Fairlawn Road when his motorcycle struck the right rear door of a sport utility vehicle. The officer, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown off the motorcycle. The SUV driver was cited for failure to yield the right of way before turning left.
In the 12 accidents recorded this year, five motorcyclists were cited. The citations included no driver's license, reckless driving, inattentive driving and failure to yield the right of way, according to information provided by Pankratz.
In the 2008 accidents, citations were issued to two vehicle drivers. These included not yielding the right of way and unsafe lane change.
Motorists aren't used to seeing motorcycles on the street and riders are out of practice after the winter months, which causes an increase in the number of motorcycle accidents, said Topeka Police Department Capt. Jerry Stanley.
Joshua Mulqueen, 22, was one of three motorcyclists who were involved in accidents within a 21/2-half hour span Tuesday. Mulqueen was injured at 5:35 p.m. at S.W. 17th and Stone Avenuein a two-vehicle accident, said police spokeswoman Kristi Pankratz.
Mulqueen, who wasn't wearing a helmet, was transported to Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center with life-threatening injuries. He remained in critical condition Thursday.
City police have worked four motorcycle accidents so far this month.
"It's a seasonal thing," said Phil Gordon, 31, of Carbondale, who has been around motorcycles for 25 years and has ridden street bikes for 17 years.
Gordon rides at least once a month year-round, which keeps his skills honed, and performs maintenance on his motorcycles as needed. He also is a member of the Topeka Sports Riders club.New riders should take part in a training program and wear helmets, Gordon and Stanley said.
"I've never seen a motorcycle accident that hasn't involved an injury, even if it's just a scrape," Stanley said. "I'd much rather have the helmet hit the ground than a head."
Only three motorcyclists among the 12 involved in accidents so far this year in Topeka were wearing helmets, Pankratz said. All three involved in Tuesday's accidents were riding without helmets.
In the majority of fatal motorcycle wrecks, the motorcyclists aren't wearing helmets, Stanley said.
"A $50 helmet can save a life," Gordon said. "I used to make fun of people who wore helmets. Now, I don't feel comfortable without it."
Many people who spend money purchasing a motorcycle don't have enough money left over to purchase the proper gear, he said, which is why the Topeka Sports Riders club would like to work with area motorcycle shops to offer discounts on helmets and other safety gear.
Stanley, who worked with the police motorcycle unit for 11 years, said officers on the unit know firsthand that helmets can save lives and prevent injuries because they have themselves been involved in accidents on duty and off duty.
In the 12 accidents recorded this year, five motorcyclists were cited. The citations included no driver's license, reckless driving, inattentive driving and failure to yield the right of way, according to information provided by Pankratz.
In the 2008 accidents, citations were issued to two vehicle drivers. These included not yielding the right of way and unsafe lane change.
0 Comments:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
directories:
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |