The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently estimated that 32,728 people died on our nation's highways in 2010. These numbers represent another decline in national highway fatalities and prove that many of the highway safety initiatives are working; however, May proved to be an incredibly dangerous month for motorcyclists in the Garden State.
A Fair Lawn man was recently killed when his motorcycle crashed into a fence at the Essex County Airport in Fairfield Township. The next day, another man was killed in a motorcycle accident on Atlantic City Parkway. Almost two weeks later, two women were killed and a man was injured in Morris River Township when a truck crashed into the motorcycles on which they were riding. On May 30, 2011, a New Jersey teen was killed when his motorcycle collided with a pick-up truck traveling along County Road 661 in Frelinghuysen.
Serious and fatal motorcycle accidents are not uncommon in New Jersey. According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Department, over 2,500 motorcycle crashes occur each year. As of March 2011, New Jersey is home to 152,888 registered motorcycles and 287,719 residents with motorcycle licenses or endorsements.
While a large number of motorcycle accidents may relate to driver inexperience and lack of training, other significant causes for motorcycle crashes include impaired driving and non-compliance with safety laws. As a result, New Jersey has attempted to use safety initiatives to improve roadway safety, including motorcycle safety month and other various share the road campaigns.
Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable riders on our nation's roads. Wearing protective gear, complying with safety regulations and being properly trained will help motorcyclists to protect themselves and others while they enjoy the freedom of the open road.
