BIKER NEWS: United Bikers of Maine urge drivers to be cautious in wake 28 fatalities

BN- United Bikers of Maine urged all drivers to be cautious this weekend in the wake of 28 deaths in motorcycle accidents so far this year.

“We want to take a minute to remind all operators no matter what you ride or drive that we all have a responsibility on the roadways,” Rick Foss, communications director for the organization, said earlier this week in a press release. “We not only need to ‘Look twice and save a life,’ but we all need to take responsibility for ourselves and others around us.”


Eleven people died last year in motorcycle accidents, according to Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety. He noted earlier this month that the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety said this will be thedeadliest year for motorcycle deaths since 1991, when 34 people died in motorcycle crashes.

He said both 2012 and 2009 ended with 24 motorcycle deaths each.

United Bikers of Maine and the Maine Motorcyclists Political Action Committee prides itself on working closely with the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine State Police to identify and help fix roadway safety issues including safer rumble strips, smaller crack sealants and construction zone work, the release said.

“We at United Bikers of Maine want to reinforce a few things,” Foss said in the release. “It is never OK to drink and ride … ever. Roadways are made safe with DOT improvements but those improvements don’t help with reckless and careless driving and riding. Be attentive. Know your vehicle or motorcycle’s limits. Know your own limits as well. Every death is a loss and United Bikers of Maine is committed to safer riding, not safer crashing.”

The organization does not support a mandatory helmet law for adult motorcyclists.

McCausland said that 19 of the 28 people who have died in motorcycle accidents this year were not wearing helmets.

More: http://bangordailynews.com/2015/09/19/news/united-bikers-of-maine-urge-drivers-to-be-cautious-in-wake-28-fatalities/