State Police Urge Motorcyclists To Drive Safer

Wednesday, September 29, 2004, 3:37 p.m.

- DES PLAINES, IL -- In response to a recent spike in motorcycle fatalities in the Chicago area and nationwide, state police Wednesday urged bikers to consider the consequences of risk-taking behavior.

With a rise in the popularity of sportbikes has come a tendency to drive motorcycles faster and more recklessly, Illinois State Police District Chicago Master Sergeant Brian Windle said.

"Alcohol does not play a role in many of these crashes," he said. "It's mostly people going really fast on their motorcycles."

Across the country, there has been a 73 percent increase in fatal motorcycle accidents since 1997, Windle said.

Most riders killed are either over 40 or under 20 years old, and two-thirds of the fatalities involve speeding, he said.

The speeds that precipitated most of the fatal crashes ranged between 85 mph and 120 mph, he added.

Windle said education was the key to stemming the rise in motorcycle deaths, as many riders might not realize what happens when they are ejected from the bike in a crash.

"You can't break Newton's laws," he said.

He encouraged riders to reduce their speed, be aware of road hazards, and attend available classes on motorcycle safety.

The Illinois State police planned to help by launching more forceful and pervasive advertising of educational programs, he said, but did not go into detail.