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CONCORD, N.H. (WBZNewsRadio) - Motorcycle rider deaths in the granite state is now the highest it's been in the last two decades, according to the DMV.
“For each life lost, many more lives were altered forever,” said New Hampshire Department of Safety Assistant Commissioner Eddie Edwards. “Our goal, within the Office of Highway Safety, is to quickly stop this tragic trend.”
Since the beginning of the year, there have been 39 motorcyclist deaths, including 35 operators, three passengers and one moped operator. The annual data, which is maintained by the New Hampshire DMV said typically on average, about 22 motorcycle riders lose their lives each year.
"This season's fatality numbers are particularly distressing,” said Larry Crowe, State Coordinator of the Motorcycle Rider Education Program at the Division of Motor Vehicles. “Riders need to take ownership and control of what they can and prepare to respond to what they can’t. None of us think ‘This is the ride that I crash’ when we throw our leg over the bike. Making smart choices, like slowing down, as well as aggressively predicting traffic issues, can help prevent a crash. While things absolutely out of our control do happen, a helmet can be the difference between picking the bike up to assess damage, waiting for an ambulance - or worse."
Taking a look at the data further, the majority of the crashes have been in Rockingham County, with several in Hillsborough, Merrimack and Grafton counties. Of the 39 fatalities, 31 victims were men and eight women. 31 of the 39 where New Hampshire residents.
“With the number of fatalities this year, it is imperative that all motorcyclists remember to RideSMART- Safely, Maturely, Aware, Respectfully and Trained!” said Traci Beaurivage, president of the New Hampshire Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization. “We, as riders, need to be responsible for our actions and make SMART decisions when we ride. Please do your part!”
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