NH concerned about spike in motorcycle deaths

"A sharp increase in motorcycle fatalities on New Hampshire roads this year has prompted the state to launch a public safety campaign to cut down on the number of accidents.

For the first seven months of the year, there were 17 fatalities — the same number in all of 2009, state police Capt. Stephen Barrett said.

There were only eight motorcycle fatalities for that same period a year ago, according to the state Division of Motor Vehicles. Three of the eight riders killed were passengers.

'They had a 220 percent increase,' Barrett said of the number of motorcycle operators killed.

Although few of the 17 fatalities this year occurred locally, some police officials said motorcycle accidents continue to be a worry in the summertime.

'It's always a concern,' said Plaistow police Sgt. Patrick Caggiano. 'With the warm weather and the lack of rain, more people are out on their motorcycles.'

Many of the fatal accidents were linked to speeding and the use of alcohol and drugs — both motorcyclists and the other drivers involved, Barrett said. Another major factor was the failure of the other drivers to yield, he said."

-- Eagle-Tribune