Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend, the town of Vernon and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
Federal study to examine motorcycle crashes
Plymouth Ambulance personnel assist a motorist following an accident between a car and motorcycle Wednesday Sept. 9, 2009 at state Highway 67 and county Highway PP in
The good news is that over many years, the number of road fatalities has been consistently declining.
The bad news is the same can’t be said for motorcyclists. The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) reports that approximately 5,300 motorcycle riders died in roadway crashes during 2008 accounting for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, with about 96,000 injured.
Nationwide from 1997 through 2008, motorcycle rider fatalities increased from 2,116 to 5,290, a 150 percent increase. Last year, as motorcycle fatalities increased, all other vehicle types saw reductions in fatalities.
For the first time in three decades, the FHA will conduct a major study to better understand the causes of motorcycle crashes.
As a motorcycle enthusiast, I welcome this federal effort.
Numbers provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for state motorcycle crashes mirror what is happening at the national level. The DOT reports:
“Using a five-year rolling average, 87 people die and 638 people are seriously injured in motorcycle crashes in
As mentioned above, in the
The federal study and its findings will surely bolster
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