Local motorcycle accidents reported as May declared "Motorcycle Awareness" month

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Local motorcycle accidents reported as May declared "Motorcycle Awareness" month

Andrew Donovan

Governor David Paterson has declared May "Motorcycle Awareness and You" month. According to State DMV records, more motorcycles are the other road than ever before with registration continually on the rise.

There are expected to be over 307,000 new registered motorcycles this year. The number of fatal accidents is also on the rise, 94% from 10 years ago.

However, State Transportation Officials say statistics show most motorcycle accidents are not caused by the motorcyclist but caused by an unsafe vehicle driver.

Local authorities are reporting numerous motorcycle accidents this weekend. Oneida County Sheriffs' Deputies say a motorcyclist was hit Saturday after a car pulled out in front of him in the Town of Floyd. 59-year-old William McGowan was taken to Saint Elizabeth Medical Center after his bike collided with a car pulling out of a parking space. He suffered injures to his leg, ankle and hand.

In the Town of Marcy, 21-year-old Jeffery Gilmore was riding along Trenton Road when he hit a patch of sand, Saturday. Deputies say he lost control of the bike and flew off his seat. He was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

State police say last year they responded to 106 motorcycle accidents, only four were due to driver inexperience but regardless troopers want all bikers to stay safe while hitting the road.

They remind bikers to wear the proper equipment, especially a helmet, don't weave in and out of traffic at high speeds. And watch for larger vehicles because sometimes those drivers can not see you.

Wednesday, May 14 at 12:36 PM .. wrote ...

I wonder how many wrecks there will be in the Ilion Gorge this year?

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