Posted by don (Calgary) on September 3, 2010, 7:59 pm
Well that was the head line for an article on page two of today's
newspaper.
Apparently Stars (air ambulance) have responded to nearly three times
as many motorcycle crashes in the Calgary area this summer compared to
last. They responded to 20 crashes in June and July compared to 8
during the same period last year. They were dispatched to 40 but
stood down before they got to about half of the calls.
The spike is that, just a spike. There's not enough info there to
draw any conclusions. While the article noted comparative statistics
between 09 and 10, the message delivered was for motorcyclists to be
careful. Common causes of accidents were mentioned. The usual stuff,
speed and following too close headed the list. A stat I have not
heard before, and am not sure could be supported, was 62% of
motorcycle incidents result in death. That was a number thrown out by
one of the flight paramedics. That one surprised me.
Not caring to get involved in a long drawn out discussion debating the
details or statistics used in this article, I would like to echo the
message, be careful. It's a long weekend and a lot of us will be
heading out on the road. A gentle reminder to keep your eyes open is
never a bad thing.
Most of us know the risks associated with riding and I'd like to think
we all take care to mitigate those risks. Don't let your guard down
and enjoy the ride.
Posted by BrianNZ on September 3, 2010, 9:05 pm
don (Calgary) wrote:
> Well that was the head line for an article on page two of today's
> newspaper.
>
> Apparently Stars (air ambulance) have responded to nearly three times
> as many motorcycle crashes in the Calgary area this summer compared to
> last. They responded to 20 crashes in June and July compared to 8
> during the same period last year. They were dispatched to 40 but
> stood down before they got to about half of the calls.
>
> The spike is that, just a spike. There's not enough info there to
> draw any conclusions. While the article noted comparative statistics
> between 09 and 10, the message delivered was for motorcyclists to be
> careful. Common causes of accidents were mentioned. The usual stuff,
> speed and following too close headed the list. A stat I have not
> heard before, and am not sure could be supported, was 62% of
> motorcycle incidents result in death. That was a number thrown out by
> one of the flight paramedics. That one surprised me.
>
> Not caring to get involved in a long drawn out discussion debating the
> details or statistics used in this article, I would like to echo the
> message, be careful. It's a long weekend and a lot of us will be
> heading out on the road. A gentle reminder to keep your eyes open is
> never a bad thing.
>
> Most of us know the risks associated with riding and I'd like to think
> we all take care to mitigate those risks. Don't let your guard down
> and enjoy the ride.
Maybe there are more motorcycles on the road this year.? That 62% death
rate might just be the ones the helicopter attends, rather than all
motorcycle crashes.
Posted by don (Calgary) on September 3, 2010, 9:31 pm
>don (Calgary) wrote:
>> Well that was the head line for an article on page two of today's
>> newspaper.
>>
>> Apparently Stars (air ambulance) have responded to nearly three times
>> as many motorcycle crashes in the Calgary area this summer compared to
>> last. They responded to 20 crashes in June and July compared to 8
>> during the same period last year. They were dispatched to 40 but
>> stood down before they got to about half of the calls.
>>
>> The spike is that, just a spike. There's not enough info there to
>> draw any conclusions. While the article noted comparative statistics
>> between 09 and 10, the message delivered was for motorcyclists to be
>> careful. Common causes of accidents were mentioned. The usual stuff,
>> speed and following too close headed the list. A stat I have not
>> heard before, and am not sure could be supported, was 62% of
>> motorcycle incidents result in death. That was a number thrown out by
>> one of the flight paramedics. That one surprised me.
>>
>> Not caring to get involved in a long drawn out discussion debating the
>> details or statistics used in this article, I would like to echo the
>> message, be careful. It's a long weekend and a lot of us will be
>> heading out on the road. A gentle reminder to keep your eyes open is
>> never a bad thing.
>>
>> Most of us know the risks associated with riding and I'd like to think
>> we all take care to mitigate those risks. Don't let your guard down
>> and enjoy the ride.
>Maybe there are more motorcycles on the road this year.? That 62% death
>rate might just be the ones the helicopter attends, rather than all
>motorcycle crashes.
Like I said I wouldn't try to draw any conclusions from the numbers
quoted. The message was just to stay alert and stay safe.
Posted by The Older Gentleman on September 4, 2010, 3:17 am
> Maybe there are more motorcycles on the road this year.? That 62% death
> rate might just be the ones the helicopter attends, rather than all
> motorcycle crashes.
Would be my conclusion, too. The chopper would only be called out for
the biggies, same as here.
Anyone who thinks or claims that nearly two-thirds of motorcycle
'incidents' results in death is either living in a dream world or
deliberately scaremongering.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400Fx2 Triumph Street Triple
Kawasaki GT550x2 Suzuki TS250ERx2 GN250 Damn, up to ten bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
Posted by The Older Gentleman on September 4, 2010, 2:23 pm
> Would be my conclusion, too. The chopper would only be called out for
> the biggies, same as here.
Rethinking this, in the wake of Bryan's post.
In the world of privatised health care, I can easily see choppers being
scrambled all the time on the basis that "the insurance will pay".
My mistake for having a mindset conditioned to think of essential
healthcare being free for all.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400Fx2 Triumph Street Triple
Kawasaki GT550x2 Suzuki TS250ERx2 GN250 Damn, up to ten bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
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> newspaper.
>
> Apparently Stars (air ambulance) have responded to nearly three times
> as many motorcycle crashes in the Calgary area this summer compared to
> last. They responded to 20 crashes in June and July compared to 8
> during the same period last year. They were dispatched to 40 but
> stood down before they got to about half of the calls.
>
> The spike is that, just a spike. There's not enough info there to
> draw any conclusions. While the article noted comparative statistics
> between 09 and 10, the message delivered was for motorcyclists to be
> careful. Common causes of accidents were mentioned. The usual stuff,
> speed and following too close headed the list. A stat I have not
> heard before, and am not sure could be supported, was 62% of
> motorcycle incidents result in death. That was a number thrown out by
> one of the flight paramedics. That one surprised me.
>
> Not caring to get involved in a long drawn out discussion debating the
> details or statistics used in this article, I would like to echo the
> message, be careful. It's a long weekend and a lot of us will be
> heading out on the road. A gentle reminder to keep your eyes open is
> never a bad thing.
>
> Most of us know the risks associated with riding and I'd like to think
> we all take care to mitigate those risks. Don't let your guard down
> and enjoy the ride.