Motorcycle deaths on the rise, police call for more attention on the roads

THE DEATH OF ANOTHER Ontario motorcycle rider, this incident in Essex on July 11, has provincial police asking motorists to be more attentive.

So far this year, motorcycle collisions have claimed the lives of 23 drivers and three passengers in Ontario. In 2015 there were 31 fatalities reported as a result of motorcycle collisions.

“We will well exceed the number of 2015 fatalities if this trajectory continues,” predicts OPP traffic and marine inspector Lisa Anderson.

The OPP urges all drivers to be aware of their surroundings and always check for motorcycles before changing lanes, turning or entering into intersections. This simple step will drastically reduce the number of motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities, say police

“Get in the habit of looking for motorcycles when you are driving. Quite often we look for other cars and trucks and get surprised by motorcycles. We need to change our way of thinking and look for motorcycles first. If we specifically look for motorcycles, we will also see the other larger vehicles as well,” said Anderson

JULY 6

9:00 AM | OPP officers were dispatched to a four vehicle chainreaction crash on Hwy. 7/8 near Shakespeare. A number of vehicles were stopped in the westbound lane behind a vehicle which was waiting to make a left turn. A westbound Ford F150 pickup truck operated by a 19-year-old male from Burlington drove into the back of one of the last stopped vehicles. The impact caused this vehicle to strike the one in front which struck another stopped vehicle. In total, four vehicles sustained extensive damage. One of the drivers sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The 19-year-old pickup truck driver was charged with ‘careless driving.’ 7:30 PM | OPP officers were called to a collision on Line 29 east of Stratford. A motorcycle rider lost control of his machine while attempting to avoid a farm tractor pulling a wagon. The motorcycle and the rider landed in the ditch. The 55-year-old male motorcyclist, a Stratford resident, was transported to a local hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.

JULY 9

11:00 AM | Perth County OPP officers were dispatched to a collision involving a car and motorcycle, along Hwy. 8 near Stratford. A Hyundai SUV towing a utility trailer had been travelling westbound on Hwy. 8 ahead of a westbound motorcycle. A garbage can blew out of the utility trailer, landing on the roadway directly in the path of the motorcycle. The motorcycle operator made an evasive manoeuvre but the can blew into the motorcycle causing the rider to lose control – the motorcycle slid sideways across the eastbound lane where it came to rest. The motorcycle operator, a 40-year-old man from the Municipality of West Perth, sustained minimal injuries. The 47-year-old female motorcycle passenger, a Stratford resident, also sustained minimal injuries. They were both transported to a local hospital for treatment. The 46-yearold female driver of the Hyundai, a Township of Perth East resident, was charged with ‘insecure load.’

JULY 10

8:15 PM | A Wellington County OPP officer was patrolling Wellington Road 7 near Side Road 10, Centre Wellington Township and observed a male driving a 2015 Chevrolet well above the posted speed limit. The vehicle was locked on radar at 147 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. A 37-yearold Kitchener man was charged with ‘race a motor vehicle.’ His driver’s licence and motor vehicle were seized for a period of seven days as per statute. He is to appear in Guelph Provincial Court on August 17.