By Frank DeLoache
Salisbury Post
You might blame Jay Leno and John Travolta, two very prominent Hollywood names who have shown off their love of motorcycles.
Regardless, Cabarrus County this week gained notoriety in AAA Carolinas’ annual report on the most dangerous counties for drivers.
Based on AAA’s formula, Cabarrus offered motorcycle riders the fourth “best chance of being killed” among North Carolina’s 100 counties in 2006, the last year for which statistics are available.
In 2006, five motorcyclists died in Cabarrus accidents.
Other counties had more motorcyclists die in accidents in 2006. Mecklenburg County had the most ó 15, according to AAA spokeswoman Carol Gifford.
But AAA ranked Cabarrus fourth in the state because motorcycle deaths accounted for a third of all vehicle fatalities in the county in 2006, Gifford said Tuesday.
AAA’s formula also takes into account the amount of vehicle miles traveled in a county, reasoning that more urban counties would necessarily have more deaths because of their higher volume.
Rowan County ranked 43rd out of 100 in that same category, Gifford said.
The only three counties riskier than Cabarrus for motorcycle deaths are Allegheny, Polk and Yancey. Anson County places fifth.Motorcycle crashes and injuries are continuing to increase throughout the country, Gifford said.
In North Carolina, motorcycle accidents involving injuries increased 19 percent from 2005 to 2006, 3,591 such accidents in all. Fatalities increased 2 percent statewide, according to N.C. Department of Transportation statistics gathered by AAA Carolinas.
In Cabarrus, motorcycle accidents with injuries increased from 42 in 2005 to 61 in 2006, or 45 percent. Fatalities increased from 0 to 5.
In Rowan County, motorcycle accidents with injuries increased from 36 in 2005 to 50 in 2006, or 39 percent. Rowan recorded two motorcycle fatalities each year.
So why blame Travolta and Leno?
Both are baby boomers ó wealthy, aging baby boomers. Travolta recently starred in “Wild Hogs,” a movie about middle-age men riding motorcycles, and Leno, the late-night talk show host, is well known for his collection of motorcycles.
And guess who’s contributing to the increase in motorcycle accidents and fatalities? Baby boomers who often aren’t ready to handle a motorcycle safely, Gifford said.
Law enforcement officials tell AAA Carolinas that “more people are buying and riding motorcycles for the first time,” Gifford said. “And many of them are baby boomers who buy and drive them without being adequately prepared.
“They haven’t taken safe driving classes for motorcycles, and they often don’t have the proper equipment.”
Gifford said some states’ decision to revoke laws requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets ó South Carolina, for instance ó have contributed to the increase in serious motorcycle-related injuries.
North Carolina still requires motorcyclists to wear helmets, and AAA Carolinas believes all states should, Gifford said.
“Let’s face it, when you get involved in an accident with a motorcycle, there’s not much protection,” Gifford said.
Other rankings released by AAA Carolinas include:
– Best chance of being killed in a vehicle (top 5 in order): Graham, Hertford, Bertie, Columbus and Robeson.
– Best chance of being in a collision for tractor-trailers: Haywood, McDowell, Northampton, Iredell and Polk.
More information on the AAA report is available at the organization’s Web site, www.aaacarolinas.com.
nnn
Contact Frank DeLoache at 704-797-4245 or fdeloache@salisburypost.com