Four traffic fatalities involving motorcycles over Memorial Day Weekend have prompted a warning from Delaware public safety officials.
Delaware State Police (DSP) reported six traffic fatalities involving motorcycles so far in 2019 as of May 27. That’s two more than at that time last year.
All of this year’s fatal crashes occurred this month and on weekends. All involved speeding on the part of the motorcyclist, and all those killed were under 42 years old. Alcohol and other impairment analysis are still pending.
DSP spokesman Sgt. Richard Bratz is urging bikers to slow down.
“It looks like speed is the number one contributing factor,” said Bratz. “We want to look at speed and take a strong approach to our messaging, education and enforcement to let people know we care. We want people to slow down. We want people to drive safely on our Delaware roads.”
There’ve been 37 motorcycle crashes reported in Delaware so far this year with 40 injuries beyond the six fatalities.
The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is steering motorists to its website arrivealive.com to take a safety quiz. And OHS spokeswoman Cynthia Cavett says the agency is increasing its public presence this year.
“You will be seeing us at riding events and different fundraisers meeting with the public and we will certainly be able to share more information and messaging at those events with people on the ground,” said Cavett.
