On August 13, 2009 Utah Highway Troopers, motorcycle instructors and health experts met at the Salt Lake Harley Davidson dealer to discuss a recent surge in motorcycle deaths. 

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that out of 22 fatal motorcycle fatalities so far this year, 19 involved riders older than 40 -- a cue that experienced riders should consider a "tune-up" on their skills, said Dale Bell, owner of Utah Motorcycle Education, which offers motorcycle safety classes. Such a class -- also offered by most dealers and community colleges -- would refresh riders' ability to maneuver their bikes and adjust to new technology.At this time last year 27 people had died in motorcycle crashes in Utah.

The Deseret News reported that Yeaton, a 31-year-old clinical nurse at University Hospital, sees motorcyclists in and out of her emergency room on a regular basis. Most wound up there due to driving under the influence. But the deadly cases have something else in common — the driver not knowing their limits, or the bike's, because of a lack of safety training. Most, she says, also weren't wearing a helmet.  Trooper Roden says that at least 10 of the victims so far this year were wearing helmets.  All of the participants at the discussion urged the use of helmets, leathers and to take a safety riding class.

I have talked about the need for more education and motorcycle riding classes going so far as to make the taking of motorcycle classes a prerequisite to obtaining a motorcycle license.  But more needs to be done - drivers need to be educated as well about the need to watch out for motorcycles and scooters.  Maybe watching a short video about how lives are changed in an instant when not seeing a motorcycle.

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