The Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to take the opportunity to review motorcycle safety with road users.
On August 16, 2024, at approximately 8:45 p.m., Emergency Medical Services and the OPP responded to a single vehicle collision involving a motorcyclist on Wicklow Beach Road in the Township of Alnwick-Haldimand. The individual was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and later airlifted to a Toronto Hospital. On August 8, 2024, a motorcyclist died as a result of a motor vehicle collision on County Road 45 in Hastings. These investigations are on-going and updates will be provided when available.
Safe, defensive driving on the part of all motorists is paramount to reducing the number of motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries on our roads and highways. The common factors in motorcycle fatalities are:
– Fail to yield right of way
– Speeding
– Inattentive driving
– Losing control.
We must advise that drivers of other vehicles involved in motorcycle collisions, were at fault in 54 percent of the incidents over the past 10 years.
For Motorists:
- Motorists should always watch for motorcycles given how difficult then can be to see.
- Watch for motorcycles at intersections – over one third of motorcycles collisions are intersection related.
- Share the road with motorcycles – in over half of all motorcycle collisions, the motorist was at fault.
For Motorcyclists:
- When riding, always wear an approved motorcycle helmet and bright, high-quality protective gear to make yourself more visible to other motorists.
- Motorcyclists should not assume that other drivers can see them – drivers who have collided with motorcycles often say they did not see the motorcycle until it was too late.
- Be seen at intersections – over one third of motorcycle collisions are intersection-related.
- Always ride at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions as speeding and loss of control are major causes of motorcycle collisions.
For more information on gover nment-approved motorcycle safety courses, please visit: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/driver/motorcycle-safety-courses.shtml
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
