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Group worries high gas prices will lead to more deaths on motorcycles
Photo by Ken Ruinard
Two motorcyclists ride north on U.S. 29 in Williamston. A number of motorists have been looking for ways to spend less on gas, including buying motorcycles.
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ANDERSON COUNTY — As gas prices rise, many Anderson residents are seeking alternative vehicle choices with better gas mileage. As a result, Anderson motorcycle shops are seeing a lot more interest in their products.
But AAA Carolinas officials are concerned that increased interest in motorcycles will increase numbers of deaths on the road.
In South Carolina, motorcycles represent an average of 4 percent of registered vehicles but are involved in 11 percent of all fatal traffic accidents. A major contributing factor is the fact that many cyclists don’t wear helmets, according to AAA.
The AAA report indicates that roughly 75 percent of South Carolina motorcycle fatalities in the last five years were of individuals who did not wear a helmet, according to state motorcycle fatality statistics compiled by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
A motorcyclist has a 37 percent higher chance of dying in a crash than a person in a passenger vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
And nationally, according to AAA, nearly half of all motorcycle-related deaths involved riders age 40 or older. AAA Carolinas reported that many new buyers of motorcycles are middle-aged men who often purchase motorcycles that are heavier, faster, and bigger than what the men might have had when they were younger.
Still, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety Office of Highway Safety reports that motorcycle deaths are down statewide this year.
“There have been 71 statewide so far this year, and at the same time last year there were 74 deaths,” said Tami McDonell, the Statistical Research Manager at the Office of Highway Safety. And, Anderson County ranks among one of the safest counties in South Carolina for motorcyclists, with five motorcycle-related fatalities in the year 2007 and four so far in 2008.
Greenville County is ranked in the deadliest counties for motorcyclists, with a total of 820 fatalities from the years 2003 to 2007.
The increase in sales can be felt and seen locally and also support the AAA report of increase in demand of motorcycles in South Carolina.
Jeff Culclasur, sales manager at Anderson Motorsports, said he’s seen a 75 percent increase in sales.
“People are just coming off the streets and buying them now,” Culclasur said. “Of course they average more than 50 miles per gallon.”
He also reports a great increase in helmet sales, which he says, is a major plus.
James Faber, owner of Suzuki of Seneca, said he’s experienced about a 10 percent increase. Some items are selling out fast, he said.
“Street bikes are selling out,” Faber said. “Helmets have always sold reasonably, too.”
Honda Yamaha of Anderson reported a 20 percent increase in sales, according to sales official Alan Barkley. But the dealer said it also stresses safety, including a helmet.
“We push everyone to buy a helmet, but we can’t make you buy one,” Barkley said. “If a young kid comes in here wanting a racer bike though, then I will refuse to sell it to them.”
At Timms Harley-Davidson in Anderson, sales have skyrocketed, said Jim Phillips, a sales representative.
“It’s unreal,” Phillips said. “We’re out of bikes until the ‘09s come in.”
He also said that the store is stocked up on helmets.
“There have been rumors that the helmet law might be reinstated,” Phillips said. “But they’re just rumors.”
Nine out of 16 of South Carolina’s technical colleges offer motorcycle education programs. But the state does not provide a “Share the Road” course for new riders and is one of only two states that do not include a section on sharing the road in its driver’s manual.
AAA Carolinas recommends that motorists stay clear of motorcyclists and allow them adequate room to maneuver; do not share the lane with a motorcyclist; always use turning signals; allow additional distance between the vehicle and the motorcycle; check mirrors carefully before changing lanes; and always predict a motorcycle is closer than it appears.
AAA Carolinas also recommends that motorcyclists wear a helmet while riding and take a state-approved training course about how to ride safely before getting on the highway.
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I guess you should lower the price of gasoline. Or get the idiot auto drivers off the road.
I've rode a motorcycle for 34 years and the biggest problem I see is, children hopping around in the car while the parents are not watching the road, cell phones should be made where they won't even operate within 50 feet of an auto. The #1 problem is everybody is in such a hurry, they should have left home 30 minutes earler, people don't look for motorcycles, and don't think there is not a problem with a lot of motorcycle riders, they don't have the experience needed and should have to take rider classes first, and never drive at night because of deer. A lot of us old bikers had to learn the hard way, and always wear a helment. It's to bad nobody that has a say in these matters will in no respond to these matters, and in SC they let drunks (that can't even drive a car) drive mopeds, they should have to walk. When I am driving car, I always give a motorcycle the right of way same as a pedestrian, and never ride beside a car. Everybody be careful, look and slow down
in response to Freedom_Of_Speech
i agree with you 100% about drivers not paying any attention whats going on around them.cell phones should be hands free like California and Washington.text messaging is really a problem with these teen drivers. its been a few years since i've ridden a bike but i still remember getting asphalt rash a few times.with the price of gas going up, more people are turning to riding motorcycles who are not trained too.all i can say is ALWAYS be alert.
Personally, I think many motorcycle accidents are brought about by the rider. Like the guy last night who was determined to stay just off my right rear tire no matter what speed I went. And if "Loud Pipes Save Lives", wouldn't running open headers on my car make me safer as well.
If you want to talk about sharing the road. I can't count the number of times i've had to swerve to avoid some idiot because they were riding with their tires ON the center line. Thereby putting their leg directly in the path of my car. I'm just thinking there should be some realization about who's going to win in a car/bike encounter. Even if the biker had the right of way, he'll be telling it to St. Peter.
My point is that there appears to be some sort of attitude that the world revolves around you if you're on a motorcycle.
I've seen this a lot in a number of different communities. For whatever reason, police seem reluctant to enforce laws on motorcycles. Then again in many of the towns, some of the most annoying bikers WERE cops, so I guess the law doesn't apply to them after all.
I've been a motorcycle driver for over 40 years and understand that it is an elevated risk to operate on two wheels. There are bad motorcycle drivers just as there are bad car drivers. The only difference is that as a biker, you are going to get the short end of the stick in an accident. So, with that in mind, dive as if no one sees you, or respects you.
And yes, cell phones should be banned while operating any motorized vehicle on public roads. And yes, people should not be trying to eat and put on makeup, or smoking dope, or swatting their kids, etc....while driving. All those activities contribute to wrecks.
Two wheeled transportation is coming of age as it already has in many foreign countries. It's an enjoyable form of fuel conservation. Embrace it.
That is why I said, all new bikers need to take a motorcycle safety course. With gas prices there is going to be a lot of people that have never rode before buying a motorcycle. Yes some of the Bikers have a attitude that they are bad once they get on two wheels, all I can say is, Lets see how bad you are after you slide down the asphalt about 100 feet, it will change your attitude. We all need to drive more careful, slow down and maybe God will be with us and let us live a little longer. Some people are unsafe I don't care what they are operating. But if you pay attention you can easily tell the people that have a lot of riding experenice. God Bless and please be careful.
The MSC I took at Greenville Tech was awesome. I learned a lot, even though I've ridden years before. Practice your emergency skills. Be prepared for anything to happen. Just yesterday I was approaching a green light, slowed down to turn right and a car runs the red light.
Wear the Gear! Helmet, gloves, boots... I saw a girl riding a chopped HD wearing shorts and flip flops. There was a guy riding next to her that didn't have eye protection. Boy they sure looked cool though.
Just in case if someone needs to know, Tri-County Tech and I think Greenville Tech has these courses and they are good even for the seasoned bikers to take. But the main thing is we don't know how this gas thing is going to end up. A lot of people might end up riding a mule, or walking, but please be CAREFUL.
the helmet law needs to be passed
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