Motorcycle fatalities outpacing last 2 years - Hawaii News

Motorcycle deaths on Oahu so far this year exceed those over the same periods in the past two years, according to Honolulu police.

[Cluster]

Events happen in clusters. One year it's pedestrians. The next it's cars. Then it's spousal murders and beatings. This year it's motorcyles. Sometimes these clusters get bigger or smaller. Accidents will always happen no matter what we do. How would you like to experience the one that will happen to you unexpectedly? Car or motorcycle? Think, bra. It may save you from being crippled for life or killed. Otherwise chance 'em.

[wildman]

I'm sorry...but anything the police report to the public i can't take seriously, espeically when they themselves are a subject of corruption and crime.

based on the issues of motorcycles:
1. State and city needs to appropriate a bil to
indicate the types of restrictions upon certiain
motorcycles, i.e mopeds,and street bikes.
there is a difference. And the public becomes misinformed.
a. Mopeds are the number one listed accidents.
b. Street bikes are the second. Do you even know the difference?....the street bikes are those you
see some kid running down the road acting out like a yahoo from college..a yamaha or suzuki on the street pulling a wheelie half a mile down the road.
these are the number 2 listed as accidents.
Negligence?...exactly. They use these bikes on the road recklessly.
c. Harley Davidsons, thees bike are cruiser's...
the weight and size of their engines are bigger.
And, the owners are repectable and responsible on the road when riding. These Motorcycles image are greatly mistake by the public and placed into the catagories of...A..and B..above, and should not be considered in those catagories of accidents listed.
The Laws:
The law should be applied to the lighter and smaller engine motorcycles operated on the road.
thus, Mopeds should be required to obtain a safety check,helmets, and insurance just like a regular motorcycle. There were too many negligence riders who were killed in the past using these mopeds recklessly.
The next is the Streetbikes, small versions of motorcycles in plain english...Suzuki's, Yanaha's, etc...thsee motocycles are greatly abused on the streets by its riders or operators...a stiffer fine and higher restriction should be applied to these owners who show negligence on the road. As it gives a bad image to the Real Motocyclist who enjoy and ride in pride on a Harley Davidson. Again, Don't
misinterpet the Harley Davidson as a Street Bike.
And the reports in the media and police reports should relate the correct information to the public.
And, the type of Motorcycle involved...thank you.

[Hawaiianmade]

Wildman, you probably ride a Harley so you should know that a number or guys who ride cruisers subscribe to the drink and drive lifestyle. I don't call that responsible at all.
I agree that there are a lot of reckless and irresponsible moped and motorcycle riders but the law should view them all in the same light.

Street bikes refer to all motorcycles that were designed for riding on the street. The difference you were shooting for is between a SPORT bike and a CRUISER, which have nothing to do with size and weight of the engine but rather, the style of riding. Sport bike riders aren't all negligent and irresponsible just as those who ride cruisers aren't all responsible, upstanding citizens. And anyone riding a motorcycle is a motorcyclist. You do more harm than good trying to segregate the motorcycling community with your words.

What would help reduce the incidences of racing and stunting on the road is building another track. Right now, motorcyclists and automobile drivers who enjoy speed have nowhere to take their passion except on the open road.

To help reduce fatalities, AUTOMOBILE drivers NEED to be better educated about their 2-wheeled brethren who they share the road with. Automobile drivers seem to check only for other cars on the road and even then, they miss. They don't expect to see people on 2 wheels and so they don't until it's too late and cause the motorcyclist to have to dodge them.

Also, people too often automatically blame motorcyclists for any accident that happens, regardless of fault. And punishment for killing a motorcyclist is negligible as if riding a motorcycle makes you any less of a person. It's an outrage.

I gripe for good reason. You think the guy that killed the father and son in Pahoa will get off with more than a slap on the wrist?

[Try This]

On my bike, I experienced as recently as yesterday some YAYhoo in a car tried to cut me off, intentionally, in Waianae traffic. Can only hope he went on to become part of a guard rail or power pole, and not hurt someone else. This is happening more frequently, as more people are "learning" to drive by osmosis from their freakishly ill-educated and violent parent; not just here but mainland too. Get ready for Mad Max out on the mean streets folks!

[enufalready]

Just look at the photo that accompanies this article and you know all you need to know about why so many motorcyclists die or are crippled in even minor collisions with other vehicles, including other motorcycles. The cyclist is not wearing a helmet; he is not wearing eye protection; he sports a T-shirt and shorts and some kind of hiking footwear.
This rider does not need to collide with anything to be badly injured or killed; wiping out in a sandy turn would expose him to serious head, arm, leg, foot and skeletal injuries; taking a large bug to the eye would temporarily blind him and perhaps cause him to oversteer in reaction, especially at freeway speeds.
Sure ... he looks macho and cool as he flies down the freeway on his expensive toy. The problem is that, like many, many of the motorcyclists on the road he is irresponsibly exposing himself to damage because of his refusal to respect even the most basic safety rules. No wonder that even minor collisions hurt motorcyclists so seriously; they place themselves at great peril. Until they wear helmets, leathers, boots, eye protection, etc. and drive defensively, they have no argument to make that it is car drivers who threaten them; they are their own worst enemies not to respect the laws of physics, much less the rules of the road.
I look at that photo and see an accident ready to happen.

[Windward side]

To enufalready.
you are exactly correct in everything you said except that this rider is wearing dark glasses. Eye protection is mandatory unless you have a windshield. Otherwise, you are totally correct.

[Hawaiianmade]

enufalready wrote:

The cyclist is not wearing a helmet; he is not wearing eye protection; he sports a T-shirt and shorts and some kind of hiking footwear.
Until they wear helmets, leathers, boots, eye protection, etc. and drive defensively, they have no argument to make that it is car drivers who threaten them; they are their own worst enemies not to respect the laws of physics, much less the rules of the road.
I look at that photo and see an accident ready to happen.

The ONLY thing you listed that's really necessary is eye protection. All the other stuff may save your skin somewhat but they won't save your life or prevent a rider from getting torn to shreds if s/he gets into a serious enough accident. From personal experience, a helmet both limits the wearer's hearing and field of vision yet it's not without its merits. I believe wearing a helmet should be a personal choice.

Car drivers threaten motorcyclists and bicyclists daily regardless of what they wear. Your logic is seriously flawed.

[Stumpy]

More motorcycles on the road this year as cars are getting more expensive to fuel. Almost anything brings out the do-gooders crying about helmet laws. People in cars should wear helmets too then, and be required to pay attention to their driving and stop turning left in front of motorcycles.

[enufalready]

Hawaiianmade wrote:

<quoted text>
The ONLY thing you listed that's really necessary is eye protection. All the other stuff may save your skin somewhat but they won't save your life or prevent a rider from getting torn to shreds if s/he gets into a serious enough accident. From personal experience, a helmet both limits the wearer's hearing and field of vision yet it's not without its merits. I believe wearing a helmet should be a personal choice.
Car drivers threaten motorcyclists and bicyclists daily regardless of what they wear. Your logic is seriously flawed.

As a former EMT/paramedic I know what I am talking about. Why do you think that motorcycles are called "donorcycles" by the people who have to deal with the aftermath? As for limiting one's hearing and field of vision ... try a head injury; that'll pretty much do it. Motorcycles are inherently dangerous to ride; many die or are crippled using them. Ignoring the laws of physics is a very foolish thing to do.

[smallmind]

H3 sunday afternoon ,
100 mph ,
dozens of bikes sharing the road ,
Every sunday !

[Hawaiianmade]

enufalready wrote:

<quoted text>
As a former EMT/paramedic I know what I am talking about. Why do you think that motorcycles are called "donorcycles" by the people who have to deal with the aftermath? As for limiting one's hearing and field of vision ... try a head injury; that'll pretty much do it. Motorcycles are inherently dangerous to ride; many die or are crippled using them. Ignoring the laws of physics is a very foolish thing to do.

The same argument can be used toward automobile drivers. People are killed and mangled in car wrecks daily. Being on the road as a pedestrian, car driver, bicyclist, motorcyclist, etc, is inherently dangerous. It's a personal choice of how one chooses to travel and live life. Just because someone chooses a seemingly more dangerous mode of transportation doesn't give anyone else the right to put their life in danger. Regardless of what safety gear motorcyclists wear or not, they have legitimate complaints about how some car drivers treat them and it has nothing to do with the laws of physics and everything to do with being courteous and sharing the road with others.

[wildman]

Hawaiianmade wrote:

Wildman,

I read your comment...and I do stand corrected...
appreciate your comment as well on the auto drivers in this state...yikes!...thanks wildman.