Virginia ranks last nationally in alcohol-related motorcycle deaths
September 3, 2008 by Hersey · Leave a Comment
RICHMOND — Motorcyclists in Virginia are the worst in the nation when it comes to staying sober and staying alive, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
“While other states are seeing decreases in the number of alcohol-related motorcycle fatalities in 2007, Virginia deaths are roaring to new levels,” said Martha Mitchell Meade, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
Nationally, the number of traffic fatalities attributed to alcohol-impaired motorcyclists increased in 2007 by 7.5 percent, from 1,508 to 1,621 deaths compared to the prior year. In Virginia, traffic deaths attributed to impaired motorcyclists in 2007 increased 160 percent. Fifteen motorcyclists under the influence died in 2006 compared to 39 in 2007. The increase of 24 motorcyclist fatalities in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in Virginia was the largest in the nation.
Va Motorcycle Fatalities up 80%
August 12, 2008 by Hersey · Leave a Comment
Two people were killed in Southwest Virginia on Sunday in motorcycle crashes that occurred within hours of each other.
In Washington County, Joshua Smith, 21, of Raven, Va., died after losing control of his Yamaha motorcycle while rounding a curve on state Route 75 at about 2 p.m.
Virginia State Police Sgt. Michael Conroy said Smith crossed the center line and drove into the path of a pickup heading north.
