Patrol sees more cycle crashes

Montana Highway Patrol officials have noticed an increase in the number of motorcycle crashes and accidents involving deer this summer.

Sgt. Roy Christensen of the patrol's Kalispell office said he could think of five recent motorcycle-deer crashes.

"I've had maybe two in the last 10 years," he said.

Such accidents can cause serious or fatal injuries, he said.

He's not sure why so many motorcycle accidents have occurred in the Flathead, but troopers in his office have been talking about it, he said.

"My own personal opinion is it's because of gas prices," he said. People may look at motorcycles as cheaper forms of transportation, he said.