[widgeon13]

There were statistics released yesterday, (national TV news?) not sure of the source but suppose I could find out, that accidents on highways have gone up significantly in the last year. The cause was related to motorcycles. Don't remember if statistics sited were accidents or fatalities.

I do volunteer EMT work in rural upstate NY and unfortunately a high percentage of our calls are for motorcycle accidents in the warmer months and snowmobile accidents in the winter months. Most of these are very serious or fatalities. Almost without exception they are speed and alcohol related and usually victims are young (mid 20's). It is sad but most unfortunately, it is unnecessary

Responded to one last Sept where the rider could not keep the new bike on the radius of the turn and sideswiped an oncoming dump truck, bike burst into flames and driver was thrown from the bike some distance, this story did not have a happy ending, need I say more. There was very little left of the bike that made it recognizable. Young man owned the bike for less than 2 weeks. Out for a ride w/ his buddies and his brother. Beautiful fall day.

I always wanted a bike and had one when I was in college. Would not have one today, other caged drivers are too reckless and don't pay attention to what is going on around them.

Funny thing is that as I sit here and write this I must confess that I do ride a 1000CC Yamaha snowmobile and spend a lot of time in wooded trails. Big trees don't move much. Hope we have good amount of snow this winter. Stay safe.