According to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety:
50 Riders Killed To-Date in 2012 — The Deadliest Year for Motorcyclists Since 2009
Minnesota motorcyclist fatalities hit 50 for 2012, making this the deadliest year for riders since 2009 when 53 were killed. September tied August as the deadliest month to-date for rider fatalities with 10 deaths.
When driving — share the road and look twice for motorcycles; and if you’re riding — ride sober, keep your speed in check, and make yourself visible to drivers. Training is also a life-saving option.
September: The Deadliest Month on the Road in 2012
Minnesota traffic deaths continue to surge in 2012 after a deadly September when 42 people were killed, according to preliminary reports. September topped August for the deadliest month, when 40 people were killed. Help stop the rise in road deaths — remind loved ones to buckle up and pay attention.
Deer Put Motorcyclists at Risk During Autumn Months
Of the 20 deer-vehicle crash-related deaths during the last three years, 15 were motorcyclists. October and November are the peak times for deer crashes and riders are encouraged to avoid dusk/dawn travel (when deer are most active).
If encountering a deer, riders should use both brakes to stop. If riders cannot stop in time, slowly swerve around a deer. If a collision cannot be avoided, riders should keep head and eyes up to improve the chances of keeping the bike up.
