Sharing the Road With Motorcyclists
Local News
by
Krista Fogelsong
last edited on
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
August and the 2010 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally are drawing near, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol is reminding bikers and motorists to use extra care as they share the road.
Last year in South Dakota 16 motorcyclists died and 508 were injured in crashes on state highways.
Statistics show nearly 30 percent of motorcycle crashes in South Dakota happen in four counties Custer, Lawrence, Meade and Pennington during the 12-day period surrounding the Sturgis Bike Rally.
And because this year is the 70th anniversary more bikers and rally goers are expected to be in the Black Hills.
SD Highway Patrol Trooper Derek Mann says, "What we are asking people to do is to be aware of motorcycles and for motorcyclist to also be aware of traffic. Just because it is rally week, doesn't mean that they get to rule the road. It is a cooperation between the regular vehicle drivers and the motorcyclist, so it's not a one way street by any means."
The Rally officially starts August 9, 2010 but, many bikers are arriving earlier and staying later.