Louisiana motorcycle crash fatalities surged to 104 last year from 81 in 2008 according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. Nationwide motorcycle fatalities are expected to drop to 4762 from 5290.
Reasons for Louisiana’s increase may include the brief absence of a motorcycle safety program offered by the state. An estimated 2000 people took the course when offered by the Department of Education. Other reasons include a longer riding season than states with harsher seasonal weather and a higher number of alcohol-related motorcycle deaths.
Motorist also have to keep a vigilant outlook for the much smaller motorcycle. Increased awareness of approaching motorcycles and the elimination of distractions such as text messaging and cell phone will help the driver of a car visualize the motorcycle before it is too late to avoid a crash.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
