Two fatal North Alabama motorcycle accidents have occurred in the past week.  According to a report from the Times Daily a Franklin County man and his wife were involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday February 7, 2009.  According to the report, the motorcycle collided with the passenger side of a car.  Upon impact, the male driver of the motorcycle was thrown 10 to 15 feet past the point of impact.  Tragically, the driver of the motorcycle died from massive blunt-force trauma to the head and neck.  Just three days later on February 10, 2009, an 18 year Gadsden teenager was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle and it struck a light pole.

According to NHTSA, 4,810 motorcyclists were killed in the United States in 2006, which was an increase of 5% from the previous year.  There were 88,000 motorcyclists injured in 2006. In 2006 in Alabama, there were 105 fatal motorcycle accidents  Suprisingly, of these 105 fatal accidents helmets were worn 90.5% of the time.  As one would expect to find, statistics show that per vehicle mile traveled in 2005, motorcyclists were about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle accident and 8 times more likely to be injured.

Based upon the increased likelihood for accidents and injuries to motorcycle riders it is imperative that motorcycle riders be properly trained and outfitted with the proper safety equipment.  For more information on motorcycle safety visit the motorcycle safety foundation.