Highways take a toll on bikers

Rash of Flathead fatalities has law enforcement urging caution

The local district of the Montana Highway Patrol has had the greatest number of fatal vehicle accidents in the state this year, including numerous people on motorcycles or bikes.

In 2006, 22 traffic deaths have occurred in the district that comprises Flathead, Lake, Lincoln and Sanders counties. That compares with 17 at this time last year, according to Sgt. Steve Lavin of the patrol office in Kalispell.

Those numbers compare with 14 deaths in Bozeman, six in Missoula, and 12 in Billings this year.

Six people on motorcycles or bikes have died recently in this district.

"There seems to be a rash of them," Lavin said of such accidents. Three or four occurred during one week in mid-April, he said, and all but one were in the past two months.

Higher temperatures and gas prices seem to be bringing out more cyclists, he said.

Although most of the fatal crashes were not the motorcyclists' fault, Lavin said riders must "always drive extra defensively."

Bikes and motorcycles are more difficult for other drivers to notice, he said.

"Take extra caution," he urged other drivers.

To make motorcycles more visible, headlights are required to be on day and night, Lavin said.

"Always wear a helmet and good gear - leather gear on arms and legs," he said.

Emergency physician Scott Rundle at Kalispell Regional Medical Center sees the aftermath when things go wrong for motorcyclists.

"Head injuries, extremities fractures, [and] torn aortas" are some of the injuries he has seen, he said.

Those injured typically are men in their early 20s, Rundle has noticed.

"It's always young, healthy kids. They usually have a girlfriend on the back, showing off. It's hard not to show off that power," he said. "They're pretty fearless."

That attitude is reflected by the number of riders on heavy-duty motorcycles and lighter-model "crotch rockets" who eschew helmets.

Some macho mythology exists that a motorcycle collision carries an automatic death sentence so wearing a helmet would be futile.

Rundle disagrees.

"Quite a few times when they get hit, that's the only thing, other than road rash," he said about the head injuries that could be prevented by good helmets.

"The helmet probably would have kept them at a functioning level of life" instead of destined for a nursing home, Rundle said.

"All that matters is, relatively, how important your head is," said Cory Loudermilk, general manager at Leland's Honda and Suzuki on Montana 35.

Helmets aren't required by law for motorcyclists, but Leland's sells one for almost every bike it sells, Loudermilk said.

Helmets at the store cost from $50 to $500, he said. Ventilated jackets and other gear also are for sale, he said.

Loudermilk said the community college offers a riders training class and he "recommends it to everybody who walks in the door."

It's not just the motorcyclists who need training, though, he said.

"Seventy-eight percent of all motorcycle accidents are caused by other vehicles," he said. "Everybody always want to blame it on the motorcycle."

Montana's limited riding season means drivers are unfamiliar with having motorcycles in their traffic lanes, he said.

He wishes other drivers would pay more attention to motorcyclists and that they would put more thought into their driving.

"I see it every day in the parking lot. [Other vehicle drivers] just pull out. They don't look," Loudermilk said.

He thinks population growth - rather than gas prices - is driving motorcycle sales.

"Sales are up because people are up," he said.

He thinks most people are using their bikes just for getting around, rather than taking long tours. The average motorcyclist in Montana only rides about 4,000 miles each year, he said.

"They're just normal Joes, out enjoying life," he said.

Part of the attraction for riders is taking in the sounds and scents of their environments, Loudermilk said.

"It's a great stress reliever," he said.

That is, if other drivers are paying attention, he added.

This weekend's Memorial Day holiday begins summer traffic in the Flathead.

May typically has fewer fatal crashes in Montana than most other months, but those numbers pick up quickly beginning in June.

"We want you to enjoy your holiday," said Capt. Clancy King of the local Highway Patrol office.

"Summertime in Montana offers many choices," King said. "Please make your choices the right ones. Place your children in safety seats, wear your seat belt, obey speed limit laws, and never drink and drive. If you get tired while driving, pull over and rest."

And watch out for people on motorcycles.