Motorcycle deaths in South Carolina on the rise

(Columbia-AP) September 21, 2006 - The Department of Public Safety says the number of bikers dying on South Carolina's roads continues to rise, and most of those fatalities are men over age 35.

Wrecks investigated between January 2005 and June 2006 show that people killed on motorcycles tended to be middle-aged men who drive too fast and don't wear a helmet.

The average age of bikers who died in the 114 investigated wrecks was 41 years old.

The state agency attributes the trend to baby boomers and middle-aged adults buying luxury motorcycles without receiving the training or licensing to ride them.
     
The South Carolina Highway Patrol studied 114 motorcycle deaths investigated by troopers between January 2005 and June 2006. It found:

• 90 percent of fatalities were men
• 66 percent were over age 35
• 64 percent were not wearing helmets
• 54 percent of fatal collisions involved speed

Source: South Carolina Department of Public Safety

Posted 5:26pm by Bryce Mursch