Motorcycle safety tips as warm weather brings fatal accidents across South Jersey
MONROE – At least nine motorcyclists have died on South Jersey highways in recent weeks, highlighting the value of safety tips during the warm-weather travel season.
The latest deaths came over the weekend when three people lost their lives in two motorcycle-involved accidents, police say.
In Bass River, a 50-year-old man died Sunday when his motorcycle hit a tree off County Route 653 around 7:35 p.m., said New Jersey State Police.
Christopher Golden of Tuckerton was thrown from his motorcycle during the accident, police said.
In Vineland, a motorcycle carrying two people struck a pickup truck turning left from Union Road onto Genoa Avenue around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23.
The accident killed motorcyclist Michael Wolfe, 66, and his passenger, Olga Roig, 54, both of Vineland, police said.
One day earlier, a Monroe man died when a car backed out of a driveway and into his path on the 300 block of Lake Avenue near Florence Boulevard, according to Monroe police.
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The victim, 36-year-old Johnathen Oliver, tried to brake but his bike slid for about 80 feet, turned on its side and struck the car around 10:10 p.m., said Monroe police.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The motorist, a 27-year-old Williamstown woman, was treated for minor injuries.
Multiple deaths occurred in May, when officials emphasized the need for precautions during Motorcycle Safety Month.
Campaigns at that time noted measures that could curb fatal crashes – particularly a greater awareness of motorcyclists by other motorists.
“Motorcycle riders continue to be overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
It said 5,932 motorcyclists died in 2021, or 14 percent of all traffic fatalities.
“This is the highest number of motorcyclists killed since at least 1975,” according to the agency.
It noted the majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes “generally are caused when other drivers simply don’t see the motorcyclists.”
In earlier incidents, a motorcyclist died in a collision in Shamong on June 11, and two men died in separate accidents on May 6 when vehicles turned in front of them in Monroe and Clayton.
A motorcyclist died after an apparent pursuits by an off-duty law enforcement officers on June 20 in Springfield, Burlington County.
A similar fatal crash occurred on April 20 in Pemberton Borough.
The Attorney General's Office is investigating the police-related incidents.
Experts offers these safety tips:
Ride defensively – and visibly.
“Give yourself time and space to react,” advises the state’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety, which encourages participation in rider-training courses.
Don’t follow vehicles too closely, pay attention at intersections, and remember that two-wheeled vehicles have less tire traction when braking.
“Wearing brightly colored clothing with reflective material will make you more visible to other vehicle drivers,” says the NHTSA.
Put reflective materials on your bike and keep the headlights on at all times – “even using high beams during the day,” the agency advises.
Wear a helmet – and choose the right one for your head shape.
New Jersey law requires motorcyclists to be helmeted, but the need for head protection doesn’t end at the state’s borders.
The law requires “a securely fitted protective helmet” of a type approved by the federal Department of Transportation.
“Such a helmet must be equipped with either a neck or chin strap and be reflectorized on both sides,” it says.
“Look for the DOT symbol on the outside back of the helmet,” advises the NHTSA.
It warns against “novelty helmets,” sometimes with fake DOT labels, that don’t meet safety standards.
The unsafe helmets may weigh a pound or less, compared to about three pounds for a DOT-approved helmet.
“Be suspicious of helmets with advertisements such as ‘thinnest helmet available’ and ‘lightest weight helmet," adds the NHTSA.
Cover your arms and legs.
Leather and heavy denim clothing can protect against abrasions for riders thrown from their bikes, and also help prevent dehydration.
“Boots or shoes should be high enough to cover your ankles, while gloves allow for a better grip and help protect your hands in the event of a crash,” says the NHTSA.
It also notes bikers should protect their eyes from the wind and bugs or other foreign objects.
Obey the speed limit
About a third of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2020 were speeding, according to the NHTSA.
“Motorcycle riders 25 to 29 years old involved in fatal crashes had the highest speeding involvement at 45 percent,” it adds.
Stay sober
Alcohol-impaired riders made up 41 percent of motorcyclists who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2021, says the NHTSA.
“Riders should never mix alcohol with riding. Even low, legal limits of BAC (blood alcohol content) increase your risk while riding a motorcycle,” says the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email him at jwalsh@cpsj.com
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Motorcycle deaths in South Jersey show the need for prcautions
