Motorcycle accidents in B.C. are on the rise

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      Summer is just about here and that means many motorcycle owners are about to wheel their bikes out of hibernation. As they do, everyone on the road should keep in mind a recent report by the B.C. Coroners Service.

      Last week (May 17), the coroner’s office shared an analysis of traffic accidents across the province. It included some good news. Overall, traffic fatalities have declined over the last 10 years.

      But there’s one category of accidents where deaths have increased: motorcycles.

      Since 2012, traffic fatalities involving motorcycles or mopeds have experienced an upward trend, from a low of 26 in 2012 to a high of 51 in 2018.

      “In 2018, 16% of the 314 deaths involved motorcycles or mopeds. This number is 5% higher than the 11% average over the past decade,” reads a B.C. ministry of public safety and solicitor general media release. “In 2018 alone, there were 51 motorcyclist deaths. This is the highest annual total for the past decade and a 50% increase over 2017.”

      Travis Lupick / B.C. Coroners Service

      The coroner’s report also notes that traffic fatalities of every category generally occur with greater frequency during summer months. On average, months with the highest numbers of deaths are June, July, and August.

      As the bikes leave their garages for the summer, keep an eye out for them.

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