As with the overall motor vehicle numbers, it was great to see less motorcyclist deaths on Minnesota highways in 2010. But, the number of injuries are up.In 2010, there were 1,377 crashes that involved at least one motorcycle. This represents a 4% increase from the previous year.

In 2010, there were 45 deaths which is down from 53 in 2009. Injuries increased 8% (from 1,200 to 1,296). As with motor vehicle deaths the greatest number of deaths are taking place in rural areas of the state.

For safety purposes it is also worth considering that most deaths are taking place in June and between 3 and 5 pm. Of those riders killed 35% tested positive for alcohol. Suggesting that any drinking and riding isn't a good idea. A review of the law enforcement factors for the collisions shows speed playing a big role for the riders killed and inattentive driving as a cause with other vehicles.

In looking at the numbers, a couple of things are clear:

- Don't drink and drive,

- Start seeing motorcycles and their smaller friends the mopeds, and

- and let's make sure all drivers share the road!

As with the overall motor vehicle numbers, it was great to see less motorcyclist deaths on Minnesota highways in 2010. But, the number of injuries are up.In 2010, there were 1,377 crashes that involved at least one motorcycle. This represents a 4% increase from the previous year.

In 2010, there were 45 deaths which is down from 53 in 2009. Injuries increased 8% (from 1,200 to 1,296). As with motor vehicle deaths the greatest number of deaths are taking place in rural areas of the state.

For safety purposes it is also worth considering that most deaths are taking place in June and between 3 and 5 pm. Of those riders killed 35% tested positive for alcohol. Suggesting that any drinking and riding isn't a good idea. A review of the law enforcement factors for the collisions shows speed playing a big role for the riders killed and inattentive driving as a cause with other vehicles.

In looking at the numbers, a couple of things are clear:

- Don't drink and drive,

- Start seeing motorcycles and their smaller friends the mopeds, and

- and let's make sure all drivers share the road!

May 16, 2011

A pickup truck crossed the centerline on a New Jersey road Saturday, striking two motorcycles in the oncoming lane and creating a five-vehicle chain reaction crash.

According to NJ.com, the crash occurred shortly after 2:00 pm Saturday on Route 347 in Maurice River Township.

Michael Ennis, 53, and his passenger Diane Allen, 53, traveled on his Harley Davidson in the southbound lane of Route 347 when a Dodge Ram pickup truck in the northbound lane driven by Joseph Moyer, 40, took a turn too wide, crossed the yellow centerline and struck them head on.

The pickup truck traveled further down the road where it hit Robin Ennis, 48, on her Harley motorcycle and killed her, pushing her motorcycle into the front of the car that had been traveling behind her. William Good, riding his Honda motorcycle then rammed into the back of that car.

The pickup truck, with a severely damaged front end, finally stopped against a guardrail.

Emergency responders transported Michael Ennis to Atlanticare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City by helicopter where his condition is critical, reports pressofatlanticcity.com. Police pronounced Diane Allen and Robin Ennis dead at the scene, transferring their bodies to Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point.

Friends of Michael Ennis told CBS Philly that he is a volunteer EMT and firefighter with the Wenonah Fire Department and that “He is just a great guy.”

This past week, the Minnesota Tribune editorial board put out an interesting piece on what could be done to prevent future problems like what happened in the Koua Fong Lee case. The whole thing is worth the read.

What I totally agree with is the part about the gap in available sentences:

• Establish a middle-ground careless-driving charge. Prosecutors have two choices for charging out accidents like Lee's. There's the felony criminal vehicular homicide charge, which can be difficult to prove. Their only other option: careless driving, the equivalent of running a stop sign. It's too big a gap. A gross misdemeanor charge, which could lead to a one-year jail sentence, is needed. The Minnesota County Attorneys Association will likely press for this change in the upcoming legislative session. Lawmakers should heed their concerns and act quickly.

You see this issue in many wrongful death cases. There needs to be something in between that felony and a misdemeanor. The cases of a driver running a stop or yield sign just don't seem to reach the felony, but it is just another strike at a grieving family when the driver walks with a petty or misdemeanor careless driving conviction as if he was all alone on the road.

I have thought that with a tiered set of charges, that the degrees that exist with DUI charges might be the way to go. This way, depending on the factors, a more just punishment could be looked at for everyone involved.

I know that there are many families of motorcycle riders who have been killed on the highways who will always believe that justice was not served in the loss of their loved one. It's a hot topic each year as their groups head to the capitol. Hopefully, with a renewed interest by more groups, we will see this change happen.

This past week, the Minnesota Tribune editorial board put out an interesting piece on what could be done to prevent future problems like what happened in the Koua Fong Lee case. The whole thing is worth the read.

What I totally agree with is the part about the gap in available sentences:

• Establish a middle-ground careless-driving charge. Prosecutors have two choices for charging out accidents like Lee's. There's the felony criminal vehicular homicide charge, which can be difficult to prove. Their only other option: careless driving, the equivalent of running a stop sign. It's too big a gap. A gross misdemeanor charge, which could lead to a one-year jail sentence, is needed. The Minnesota County Attorneys Association will likely press for this change in the upcoming legislative session. Lawmakers should heed their concerns and act quickly.

You see this issue in many wrongful death cases. There needs to be something in between that felony and a misdemeanor. The cases of a driver running a stop or yield sign just don't seem to reach the felony, but it is just another strike at a grieving family when the driver walks with a petty or misdemeanor careless driving conviction as if he was all alone on the road.

I have thought that with a tiered set of charges, that the degrees that exist with DUI charges might be the way to go. This way, depending on the factors, a more just punishment could be looked at for everyone involved.

I know that there are many families of motorcycle riders who have been killed on the highways who will always believe that justice was not served in the loss of their loved one. It's a hot topic each year as their groups head to the capitol. Hopefully, with a renewed interest by more groups, we will see this change happen.