Dealing with what could end up being one of the deadliest years for motorcyclists, West Region OPP are pleading with bike operators to keep safety top of mind.
Since the start of the year, there have been 25 fatal collisions involving motorcycles in Ontario, 12 of which occurred on OPP patrolled roads in southwestern and midwestern Ontario. That is up from seven deaths over the same time period last year, police said at a news conference on Thursday.
"The numbers we are seeing in 2022 are, quite frankly, very alarming," said Inspector Shawn Johnson, West Region OPP's traffic and marine manager. "Half way through the riding season we are at 12. That number is our 10-year average in west region. So half way through the summer, we are on track to set a record year and that is just unacceptable and we can't allow that to happen."
Grey, Bruce, and Norfolk counties have experienced the highest number of fatal motorcycle collisions in 2022, with three each, while Essex County has had the most motorcyclist deaths in the entire province over the past 10 years.
In over 70 per cent of the 12 fatal motorcycle collisions this year, the motorcyclist has been at fault, with the three leading contributing factors being loss of control, failure to yield, and excessive speed, Johnson said. He added that these fatal collisions are most commonly happening on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of noon and 6 p.m.
Also of concern for police is the type of weather conditions these collisions are occurring in.
"People are putting their guard down. We don't see [these crashes] when it is raining or foggy. We are seeing them in good weather, so people aren't considering it is going to happen to them and they feel that as long as there is no hazard nothing is going to happen to them. So they aren't driving defensively in good weather," said Johnson. "We are worried this weekend will be just like the other weekends this summer, marred by tragedy as yet another motorcyclist may lose their life in a preventable collision."
Over the past 10 years, more than half of the people killed in motorcycle crashes have been between the ages of 45 and 64.
"We're not talking about stereotypical, risk-taking young riders on a racing bike," said Johnson.
In addition to defensive driving, police recommend motorcyclists take a motorcycle training course and take the time to re-familiarize themselves with their bike each season.
OPP motor officer Constable Melissa Tutin
"Anyone can go fast in a straight line, the bike is meant to do that. It is whether you can go slow, it is whether you can do corners well, it is whether you can turn in a parking lot between a number of parking spots," said Constable Melissa Tutin, a motor officer and collision reconstructionist. "I always urge people to take their motorcycle out when they first get it and really become comfortable with it. Take it to a large parking lot, find eight parking spots and try to do circles, stop periodically, start periodically, do shoulder checks, do little things you think might look silly but those are the things that are actually going to save your life when you're out on the roadway."
When going on long treks on the bike, Tutin advises motorcyclists to take breaks to avoid fatigue and dehydration.
"If you're tired and dehydrated you're not going to be alert and that is going to be the worst position for you to be in riding a motorcycle," said Tutin. "Keep your eyes up, head on a swivel, making sure you're trying to perceive any threats or hazards that are coming your way and enjoy yourself by keeping your head in the game which will help ensure you get to your destination safely."