Connecticut

Motorcycle Safety: Fatal Crashes a Concern in Connecticut

With winter weather finally behind us, it’s not unusual to see more motorcycles out on the road, but the number of crashes involving them is causing concern.

“We’ve already had three fatalities just in this past week and other pretty serious crashes,” said Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA Greater Hartford.

In Enfield on Tuesday, a 63-year-old East Windsor man was killed when his motorcycle collided with a dump truck. On Wednesday, Waterford Police responded to a serious motorcycle crash by the high school.

In the past five years, more than 250 people have been killed in motorcycle crashes in the state, according to AAA.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), per mile driven, motorcycles have a fatality rate 28 times higher than passenger vehicles. When it comes to Connecticut in particular, the numbers aren’t good.

“We have a higher-than-average rate of motorcycle deaths as a percentage of traffic fatalities overall when you compare us to the rest of the country,” said Parmenter.

So AAA is reminding drivers and motorcyclists to share the road and look out for each other. It’s something drivers we spoke to say they already do.

“We generally try to give them a little more room,” said Wethersfield resident Sean Fournier. “We’re a lot bigger than they are so just generally be a little bit more aware of them.”

Officials said something as simple as that can make a big difference on the roads.

“This is an issue for Connecticut, and it’s something we can maybe all make a difference in if we just pay a little bit more attention,” said Parmenter.

NHTSA said motorcyclists killed in crashes are more likely to be alcohol-impaired than drivers of any other vehicle type, so it’s another important reminder to not drink and drive.

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