Affordability May Be To Blame For Rise in Florida Motorcycle Deaths
Being a warm-weather state, Florida already has a higher number of motorcycle riders than most states, and therefore a higher number of collisions. Now, it seems that the failing economy has led to a trend in buying motorcycles as a primary means of transportation. While they used to be considered luxuries for most, people are now purchasing motorcycles simply because they can not afford a car and the expenses that go along with it. Despite the sagging economy, managers at local dealerships suggest that sales are indeed still holding their own. Motorcycles can be purchased for even less than a used car, they get signficantly better gas mileage, and riders are not required to have insurance in the state of Florida.
For those struggling financially, motorcycles may seem like a wise choice...but at what cost? In 2007, when neither he nor his mother could afford a car, a 17-year old Ridgewood High senior saved up and got a used motorcycle for $1,300. His ride turned fatal in November of that year when his motorcycle collided with a car on U.S. 19.
Trend experts suggest that the affordability of the bikes has fused a statewide surge in motorcycle injuries and deaths. With the number of registered motorcyclists up to 582,740 in 2006, compared to 339,488 in 2002, the number of fatalities is also on the rise. In 2002, Florida repealed its Helmet Law for bikers, so that currently the law is only enforcing that riders under the age of 21 need to wear a helmet, and riders over the age of 21 who choose to ride without a helmet now must carry insurance for $10,000 in medical payments coverage, in the event that they are involved in an accident. And, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, it seems that they continue to be involved in those accidents, as over 40 percent of motorcyclists that are killed in collisions were not wearing helmets.
While contributing factors like youth, inexperience and speed are usually thought to be the cause of crashes with motorcycles, law enforcement officials suggest there is really an equal amount of collisions caused by careless drivers, or those who didn't see the motorcyclists. However, in Florida, those in motorcycle accidents are six times more likely to die than automobile drivers. The battle of placing blame between car drivers and motorcyclists is not likely to end anytime soon, but the reality, as stated by Sgt. Jim Bordner, spokesman for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, is "the roadways are only as safe as the worst driver." (http://www.sptimes.com/)
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