Has this season's number of accidents and deaths been normal?

[lastemperor7]

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This has been my first year of riding, and I must say, I've been pretty caught off-guard with the number of reports of motorcycle accidents and deaths this summer. Not only on the board in the Fallen Riders section, but also in the news. Is this regular for the riding season, or is it particularly high this season? People that have been riding for years, I'd appreciate your input.

Does anyone know if there has been an official count for deaths? After last long weekend, the news said police stated that is was either 9 or 11 (my memory is ironic huh), but with the number of posts in Fallen Riders, it feels like way more, especially with losing Liz and the off-duty cop.

Also, something I've noticed is that MANY of these incidents are occuring in the suburbs...outside of Toronto proper. Do you think that's just because of a higher volume of riders outside of the city (so, naturally, more incidents)? Or do you think it's a combination of higher speed vehicles (cars and bikes) outside of the city and/or safer riding conditions in the city (higher frequency of traffic lights which cause slower moving vehicles, more signs and people and bicyclists and less space, which cause drivers to be more aware)?

Because I can honestly say that riding around the streets of Toronto, I've had a couple close encounters where, as a noob, I SCREWED UP, but luckily I had some very keen-eyed drivers paying attention in the oncoming lanes and slowing down or stopping for me I live downtown, and have noticed on many occasion GOOD cagers. Also, whenever I'm driving (not riding) in the suburbs, you can't help but notice the open space and feel like you can speed up safely. I'm sure others feel that way on their bikes too (I haven't ridden in the suburbs yet).

Don't worry though, this has not discouraged me from the desire to ride. I took my black beauty out to run some errands last night and ended up riding around the city for much longer than expected! I was just loving every minute of it, and I took the long route home too, of course

 

[turbodish]

Does anyone know if there has been an official count for deaths? After last long weekend, the news said police stated that is was either 9 or 11 (my memory is ironic huh), but with the number of posts in Fallen Riders, it feels like way more, especially with losing Liz and the off-duty cop.

The number you may be thinking of is just motorcycle fatalities on OPP-patrolled highways.

My count of motorcycle fatalities on Ontario highways for 2011 is 37 killed as of yesterday. Single-vehicle no other vehicle involved is 15. Rider at fault about 24, car/truck at fault 8, and unknown fault 5. The vast majority are from riders losing control and going off the road by themself, or losing control and sliding/running into other vehicles. There are really just a handful of left-turning cars/trucks hitting a rider who was doing everything right.

My count is gleaned from Ontario media reports that I am aware of. There may be some I have missed, so if anything, my count is probably on the low side of actual fatalities.

 

[omega8]

Honestly I think there is more accidents this year. Or at least what what the media keeps reporting about it. Almost everyday I get one of those 680news alerts saying such and such hwy is close due to a collision or serious accident and what not. Thank god when I start my work, it's outside of rush hour, same when I get off.

 

[kiwi]

The number you may be thinking of is just motorcycle fatalities on OPP-patrolled highways.

My count of motorcycle fatalities on Ontario highways for 2011 is 37 killed as of yesterday. Single-vehicle no other vehicle involved is 15. Rider at fault about 24, car/truck at fault 8, and unknown fault 5. The vast majority are from riders losing control and going off the road by themself, or losing control and sliding/running into other vehicles. There are really just a handful of left-turning cars/trucks hitting a rider who was doing everything right.

My count is gleaned from Ontario media reports that I am aware of. There may be some I have missed, so if anything, my count is probably on the low side of actual fatalities.

TurboDish, have kept a list of the locations of these fatalities? It would be interesting to see them mapped.

 

[turbodish]

TurboDish, have kept a list of the locations of these fatalities? It would be interesting to see them mapped.

So far.... mostly rural or highway locations

Date Place Name if known Cause
37 Count->
17-Apr sarnia ? lost control, excess speed, hit curb and fence
30-Apr gardiner expressway Gauthier lost control, hit then flew over median wall, landed in oncoming traffic
5-May kitchener Lazic high speed in city, lost control
5-May waterloo Summer lost control on curve
13-May west lincoln Yellow car at fault head-on
13-May kemptville sutcliffe bike crossed in front of highway traffic
31-May brantford ? intersection, unknown fault
1-Jun 401 Oshawa Forsythe rear ended car, fell under truck
5-Jun Elgin Cty Gilders lost control, left road
6-Jun west lincoln woman crossed center line on bend, hit oncoming truck
8-Jun highway 9 ? ran into back of car
9-Jun keele and 9 ? lost control, left road
11-Jun ottawa adamo lost control, hit culvert
12-Jun highway 9 metcalfe car lost control after collision with other car, crossed into oncoming lanes and hit rider
17-Jun cornwall randlett truck left turn in front of bike
17-Jun ottawa thibodeau bike hit deer
17-Jun fenelon falls Keveza bike swerved into oncoming traffic
19-Jun sarnia Wardell intersection collision with van, van believed at fault
30-Jun north pickering ? car left turn in front of bike
3-Jul elmira martin truck left turn in front of bike
4-Jul drayton Tennant bike ran stop sign, hit car
7-Jul Pickering Bayly Tony high speed in city, lost control
11-Jul niagara falls ? lost control, hit abutment
13-Jul embrun forgues intersection, unknown fault
17-Jul Guelph Collins run from police at high speed, ran into left turner
17-Jul Powassan Muldowney lost control, ran off road
20-Jul norval ? lost control, hit tree
26-Jul Owen Sound McCartney car left turn in front of bike
27-Jul Richmond Hill ? Car turn left in front of motorcycle
2-Aug Vaughan Torchia truck made left turn/rider lost control, possible excess speed?
2-Aug windsor Abbas excess speed, wide on turn into oncoming lane, head-on into truck
4-Aug deep river Briere Lost control while passing, left road landed in ditch
7-Aug toronto(dixon rd) ? Lane split, high speed through intersection, hit by left turner
8-Aug 410@Steeles Smith Motorcycle high speed ran into back of large truck
12-Aug Newbury Rooyakkers Left road, struck fence and tree, no helmet, alcohol a factor
15-Aug St Catherines Prevost Rider lost control, hit guardrail
15-Aug Peterborough Flood Rider lost control, left road, landed in ditch

 

[rukus]

it doesnt seem any worse than other years.

 

[lastemperor7]

Wow thanks everyone, especially Turbodish, that was a very informative post. I didn't think so many of these fatalities would be due to rider error. I couldn't believe how many were due to riders leaving the road and also crossing into oncoming traffic. I mean, on this board you hear so much ranting about drivers not paying attention to riders, and it sounded like the left turn scenario was a major cause. Thanks for shedding light for the uninformed like me. This is truly sobering and I will make doubly sure to pay attention to my speed and the road itself. I had a very close call early on this season on one of my earlier rides. I had WAY too much speed coming into a turn. I thought I was going to hit the curb and lose it altogether, but my bike was finally able to slow down. Luckily, straight ahead of me there was a break in the curb for a driveway, so I had an exit if I needed it...but luckily I didn't. However, it was downright scary. Thankfully it was one of my first few rides of my life, so since then I've been very cautious with my speed coming up to turns in the road, or roads I'm unfamiliar with. Quadruply sure with traffic around. Not a lesson I'll soon forget.

I hope for those reading this thread that we'll all glean a little something.

Ride safe everyone!

 

[Griffin]

I certainly wouldn't be reading too much into the media reports and perception of risk based on what you've heard recently. The results of an actual study of accidents using enough sample size to be statistically significant would be very helpful and interesting.

Unfortunately, that doesn't sell papers or sound cool on the 6 o'clock news so it doesn't happen often.

From my own perceptions, I don't believe riding is dramatically more risky than driving a car. Particularly if you don't ride like an idiot and try to take every corner as though you're in the Isle of Man TT.

Ride your own ride, don't be influenced by other riders as to how fast you should be going, keep your eyes open and be prepared for bad things happening and you'll do well. Just remember to enjoy the experience!

 

[ZX600]

just ****ing go out and ride, stop worrying about this stuff

turbo you really need to get a life.

 

[Pedagogue]

This is a very valid and worthwhile thread. Another GTA rider just lost their life up near Wasaga Beach. She was only 25 years old! Very sad. It's been a very bad year for fatalities. It would be good to get a good discussion on why this is happening. This is something that affects all of us riders. Ride safe everyone.

 

[Pedagogue]

it doesnt seem any worse than other years.

I've only been riding for 2 years but it seems very bad this year!

 

[frekeyguy]

Is it bad this year vs last year....because its turning out to be a better riding season? Better weather? etc??

 

[natlat]

I've only been riding for 2 years but it seems very bad this year!

The media seems to be covering it more.

IMO the motorcycle/scooter is becoming more and more popular, if solely for the gas/maintenance factor. Commuters are switching over to a more efficient means of transportation.

Think of "who" and how much money "they" would loose if everyone switched to bikes.

A Bike crash gets on the front page and headlines the 6 o'clock news, when was the last time a car crash made headlines.

Given this very post, seems like someones getting their message across.

Keep riding, be safe and enjoy.

 

[rmemedic]

Seems like in the MX world it's been worse than normal. It actually has me thinking about maybe not riding competitively after a few close calls due to stupid things other people pull and seeing some nasty mid air collisions from just plain racing incidents. Seems even the beginners are whipping and scrubbing which wasn't so common a couple years ago.

 

[turbodish]

A Bike crash gets on the front page and headlines the 6 o'clock news, when was the last time a car crash made headlines.

Maybe you just don't take much notice of the news unless "motorcycle" is mentioned. Car crashes make the news pretty much every time someone is killed in one.

 

[aaronshum]

Seems to be about the same as other years.

Interesting observation I have, though, is that every year there are plenty more bikes on the road in May than August and after... Right around the time when I see more "part-out/parts for sale" posts in the parts forum.

 

[kiwi]

Is it bad this year vs last year....because its turning out to be a better riding season? Better weather? etc??

I think there has been more this year than last year. Maybe someone can find stats on this ?

 

[lastemperor7]

just ****ing go out and ride, stop worrying about this stuff

turbo you really need to get a life.

This is a very valid and worthwhile thread. Another GTA rider just lost their life up near Wasaga Beach. She was only 25 years old! Very sad. It's been a very bad year for fatalities. It would be good to get a good discussion on why this is happening. This is something that affects all of us riders. Ride safe everyone.

What turbodish is doing I think is very important. While others may choose to keep their heads in the sand, that's fine for them. But the reality is that we engage in a very dangerous hobby that has life-threatening and taking implications. Personally, I'd rather know what's going on so I can keep that in the front of my mind when I ride, instead of just going out and riding care free. I'm glad others feel the same way.

I think there has been more this year than last year. Maybe someone can find stats on this ?

Yes it'd be interesting to compare this year's accidents and fatalities, and their circumstances (rider error, driver error, loss of control, weather, etc.) versus the last five years. That would be something I'd be willing to investigate if someone (turbodish?) has the information from said years.

 

[ZX600]

What turbodish is doing I think is very important. While others may choose to keep their heads in the sand, that's fine for them. But the reality is that we engage in a very dangerous hobby that has life-threatening and taking implications. Personally, I'd rather know what's going on so I can keep that in the front of my mind when I ride, instead of just going out and riding care free. I'm glad others feel the same way.Yes it'd be interesting to compare this year's accidents and fatalities, and their circumstances (rider error, driver error, loss of control, weather, etc.) versus the last five years. That would be something I'd be willing to investigate if someone (turbodish?) has the information from said years.

is talking about accidents making you a better rider? Is knowing how many accidents in motorcycles were related to speed than some idiot making a left turn making you a better rider? I have been riding since I am 11, I always pay attention to idiots making a left, I don't need the stats to make me more aware. Dedicate your time becoming a better rider and not talking about the dead. give members of your family crap when they are in a cage talking on their cells instead of been here asking stupid questions like " is it worse this year?" how is that adding any value to anyone's safety?

 

[somebody]

^ +100

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