Steve Gravelle – CR Gazette –
The year’s warm weather across Iowa brought an increase in fatalities among motorcycle riders and boaters.
Through Sunday, 49 people have died in 47 motorcycle accident statewide compared to 35 deaths last year, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Boating fatalities more than doubled, to 9.
There were no motorcycle fatalities the first two months of the year, but temperatures into the mid-eighties by mid-March brought riders out earlier than usual. There were just two March fatalities in 2011 but seven people died this March, including two killed March 18 in Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village.
Through mid-September investigators had confirmed alcohol played a role in 8 deaths. That was down from 13 alcohol-related deaths last year, although test results are pending in some cases.
There have been fewer boating incidents this year – 28 so far, compared to last year’s 38 – but fatalities jumped from 4 last year. Susan Stocker, boating law administrator/education coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said last year’s numbers were affected by flooding along the state’s western border.
“Last year on the Missouri River, no one could get on it,” Stocker said. “(This year) we had 80-degree temperatures in February, so we started the season a lot earlier.”
A single incident accounts for nearly half this year’s death toll. Four people died when two small boats collided about 2 a.m. May 19 as they were ferrying people from a party on a Mississippi River island near Burlington.
Six of the year’s boating fatalities were alcohol-related, compared to 2 last year. Results of blood tests in some fatal incidents are still pending, Stocker said.
The DNR follows Coast Guard reporting guidelines, defining a boating “reportable incident” as one causing $2,000 or more in property damage, death, injury or a missing person.
“We don’t feel that any of them are an accident,” Stocker said.
I am sorry to say that bike riders wether they are motor or otherwise must constantly be aware of cars and trucks. People are just not tuned in to see something that small on the roads. It has always been that way and will only continue to get worse as there are more drivers and riders on the roads. Drinking and driving is a problem but not the whole problem.
If people, (you) are not tuned in to see the small things, (motorcycles) on the road, does that mean that you run over cats, dogs, and children too. Motorcycle awareness has been around a long time, maybe it’s time for some to, tune in. I didn’t quite understand your last sentence. The article is partially about motorcycle fatalities, caused by drinking and driving as a problem, but not the whole problem. Please explain to me just what the whole, problem is.
John-it was a general statement and not pointed necessarily at bikers. Car drivers drink and drive sometimes and sometimes they hit motorcycle drivers because of it. But, it is not the only reason the hit motorcycles is it. Excessive drinking is a problem anytime driving is involved. Does that answer your question. Please understand, I am not against motorcyle riders. My daughter rides, my grandkids ride, my nieces and nephews ride and I used to ride. But, I do know that people just do not see motorcycles. How many times have you heard that?? No amount of bitching will change that.
I believe you are incorrect in your statement. You should instead say, “Because I choose to ride a motorcycle, I have to be 110% alert”. If you have a problem with the motor vehicle drivers on the road, drive a car.
If you have a problem with what he says or how he says it, read the paper instead.
I do drive a car, but that doesn’t change the fact that there’s careless motor vehicle drivers out there.
Besides the 8 motorcycle deaths involving alcohol, the report doesn’t say what the cause was for the other 39. How many were caused by automobiles pulling out in front of the motorcycles or running them off the road. I’m sorry, I didn’t see the 8 inch headlight that was attached to the 750 pound motorcycle. I’ve been riding since 1968, and have had one accident. I was hit from behind while stopped for the light at 2nd and north federal, and one near miss while stopped at the stop sign at 12th st. north east and S56. The guy in a caddilac was turning onto 12th st. and cut the corner way short. I almost had to lay the bike down to keep from getting hit. No alcohol was involved on my part, I don’t drink and ride. Because of all the careless motor vehicle drivers, I have to be 110% alert.
I forgot to put my name down.