The Baton Rouge area saw three separate fatal motorcycle wrecks in a span of fewer than 24 hours, including one involving an on-duty police officer. Motorcycle Awareness Campaign spokesperson Scotty Drake said motorcyclists need motorists to be actively aware and watching for those on two wheels.
“63% of the crashes that involve motorcycles are the fault of the motorists, not the motorcyclists,” said Drake.
Drake says the death of the law enforcement officer is another reminder that motorists need to be more aware of motorcycles. Cpl. Shane Totty of the Baton Rouge Police Department was killed Friday after colliding with a pickup truck while riding with a funeral procession.
“Goodness gracious, a funeral detail! And the man gets hit and is killed on his motorcycle, in the line of duty. The poor guy was just shot in the face one year ago, then this,” said Drake.
Drake said motorcyclists are often doing the best they can to be noticed when sharing the roadways, as well using their training to keep an eye out for those not looking for them.
“We’re wearing reflective clothing. We’ve got motorcycles with the headlights that are on all of the time. Some of believe that loud pipes save lives, so that people can hear us coming, not just see us,” said Drake.
