Speed gets lion's share of blame for deadly summer for bikers on Maine roads

Riding in groups is often seen as one way to make motorcycling safer as other motorists are more likely to see a group than a lone biker. (Courtesy photo; Accompanying chart: Maine Bureau of Highway Safety)

AUGUSTA, Maine - Why have there been so many fatal motorcycle crashes in Maine this summer? In truth, there's probably as many reasons as there are crashes.
Still, make no mistake about it. The No. 1 cause of fatal motorcycle accidents is speed, said Lauren Stewart, Director of the Bureau of Highway Safety.
Stewart and her department pore over data submitted by law officers who investigate motorcycle accidents in an effort to determine what can be done to make it safer for all.
"We need to be concerned about all the crashes, but we have to figure out why they are driving at such a high speed," she said on Thursday.
So far this year 26 fatal motorcycle accidents have occurred on Maine roadways, one just last week when a Farmington, N.H., man died from injuries sustained in a South Lebanon crash.
But beyond speed there are a host of contributing factors, some you might not even think of.
First, this summer's dry weather has provided an extended riding season, Stewart said.
In addition there's a lot more motorcycles on the road overall. Consider this: In 2013 46,000 bikes were registered in Maine; in 2014 that number went to 57,000, a nearly 30 percent spike.
By looking at the ages of the victims analysts at the department also theorize that many motorcyclists may have been on bikes as a young person, given it up for 20 or 30 years then taken up riding again.
"We're looking at the possibility that folks are getting back on motorcycles after not having experience on them for a long period of time.
As a result the state has awarded grants that allow for free advanced rider courses through motorcycle education schools. Those free classes are about done for this season, but those hoping to participate should consult the United Bikers of Maine at http://ubm-usa.org/.
Still, at the end of the day, the majority of accidents come down to speed as well as often alcohol.
Many experienced bikers most fear the vehicle crossing left into their path, but in fact, this season only one such fatal incident occurred.
"We are aware of that danger," said Stewart, adding that the department several years ago ran several PSA ads, "Look twice, save a life."
But this year most of the fatals are "just motorcycle" incidents with no other vehicle involved.
The 26 motorcycle deaths is the most since 1991 when 34 people died as a result of crashes.
According to data from the Maine Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Highway Safety, of the 25 accidents that resulted in 26 fatalities this year, 11 included speed as a factor. Three were collisions with deer and one was a moose collision. Driver inattention is listed as a reason for two of the accidents. Six of the accidents involved other vehicles. In at least one instance, that other vehicle was also a motorcycle.
To determine if alcohol was a factor often takes months after the crash due to the late release of toxicology test results, but firm analysis from the department showed that four of the nine fatals from April through June involved both speed and alcohol.
Reports said only three people in the motorcycle-related fatalities this year were wearing helmets. That number may go up as several of the accidents have occurred too recently for the data to be counted.
Stewart sums the dangers up like this: "Lots of reckless driving, lots of speed, more distractions on the road and more traffic."
With several weeks of good riding weather left, she urges motorcyclists to please slow down, ride with caution and don't drink and ride.