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The Ambulances Are Too Busy
By Eric Sampson

With 75 degree weather and clear sunny skies today, I can say that spring is officially here for us east coasters. This means awesome new bikes and of course new riders as well as those riders that are trying to shake the cobwebs from the long winter we had. But with all that good sunshine comes the unfortunate occasional black cloud.

In two days I have personally been witness to three bike accidents and was called about another three. That's six too many to me and says that those nice people that drive the ambulances have been way to busy.

Accident one was a new GSXR 1000 versus a car. You can guess who won that one. The rider had a car pull out in front of him and he t-boned the door and quarter panel. Whether he was going too fast on that new superbike or had a momentary lapse of attention I will never know but it's just a reminder that you have to be ready for anything that could possibly happen or come your way. According to the detective I spoke with, he shattered his elbow upon impact with the car despite being very well geared up. But it probably would have been much worse had he not been so well equipped.

Accident number two was up in Bear Mountain, New York. I was just coming down the hill after enjoying a nice lunch in the sun at the top of Perkins Memorial Drive when I see a bunch of people scrambling towards what appeared to be a bike in the ditch. I quickly parked my bike and ran over only to discover a brand new anniversary-edition Harley Sportster twisted into a pretzel in the ditch. Next to it was the unfortunate owner who was wearing a half helmet. He took the impact of his fall with his face on a rock and possibly a tree stump. The result was not pretty as he had a lot of trauma to his eye. He had no idea what happened from the concussion of the impact and didn't even know he was on his bike at the time. After calling the police we got him stabilized, kept him still and pulled his bike out the ditch with the help of a few other guys while we waited for the ambulance to arrive. That whole incident further reinforces why I don't like half helmets. After stepping back and examining the scene it was very apparent he took the turn too wide and ran out of road. Something that happens all too frequently with new motorcyclists and can be easily avoided by just slowing down a bit or working on those cornering skills.

Accident number three was an echo of number two. Coming up hill all of a sudden I see flashing ambulance lights and a new Buell Firebolt wadded into the embankment. Same thing as before except this guy was probably moving much faster on a downhill left-hand sweeper and he just didn't draw it in tight enough and ran out of road. Again, this was a new bike. I can't say it was a new rider but I think the chances are pretty substantial.

So what does all this tragedy that no one likes hearing about have to do with us and why is it relevant? The answer is simple. Track riders are smarter riders and that makes for a safer rider. Everywhere I go I find myself preaching to people about why getting involved with a track club will be the single best thing they ever did for their motorcycle-riding career. By getting on the track you get to learn the limits of your bike and yourself. Plus you get that aggression out that would normally get you in trouble on the street while not having to worry about getting the radar from brother blue. The benefits are countless as I can see it.

So while no one likes to hear about crashes and accidents they are a reality that we can't ignore. But what every one of us can do is take the time to explain to people that they can take it to the track and learn more than they probably ever expected to about their bike and their own ability while improving their skills and developing new ones they never had. I can personally say that my track time has made me a better and smarter street rider and I have Team ProMotion (.com) to thank for that.

So next time you're out there and you see a new rider or someone on a new bike who you think might be a new rider, take a few minutes to tell them about the benefits of track days and how easy it is to get into them. For all you know, you could be making a big difference in that person's life and they'll have you to thank for it.

So don't just get out there and enjoy the ride this season. Get out there, be smart, be safe and enjoy the journey.


Surprisingly, this motorcyclist suffered only minor injuries after hitting a truck that had pulled out in front of him.
(Photo by Evan Semon—Kansas State Collegian)

2003 NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts
(For the complete report, click here)

  • In 2003, 3,661 motorcyclists were killed and an additional 67,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States—12 percent more than the 3,270 motorcyclist fatalities and 4 percent more than the 65,000 motorcyclist injuries reported in 2002.
  • In 2003, 25 percent of the motorcycles involved in fatal
    crashes collided with a fixed object, compared to 18 percent for passenger cars, 12 percent for light trucks, and 4 percent for large trucks.
  • In 2003, there were 1,675 two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle. In 38 percent (634) of these crashes the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle.
  • In 2003, 36 percent of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding.
  • Nearly one out of four motorcycle operators (24 percent) involved in fatal crashes in 2003 were operating the vehicle with an invalid license at the time of the collision.
  • In 2003, 30 percent of all fatally injured motorcycle operators had BAC levels of 0.08 g/dl or higher. Almost half (44 percent) of the 1,501 motorcycle operators who died in single vehicle crashes in 2003 had BAC levels of 0.08 g/dl or higher. Almost two-thirds (65 percent) of those killed in single-vehicle crashes on weekend nights had BAC 0.08 g/dl or higher.
  • Motorcycle operators killed in traffic crashes at night were 4 times as likely to have BAC levels 0.08 g/dl or higher as those killed during the day (47 percent and 12 percent, respectively).
  • The reported helmet use rate for motorcycle operators with BAC levels 0.08 g/dl or higher killed in traffic crashes was 41 percent, compared with 60 percent for those with no alcohol (BAC = 0.00 g/dl).
  • NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,158 motorcyclists in 2003. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 640 lives could have been saved.
  • Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists.
  • According to NHTSA’s National Occupant Protection Use Survey, helmet use declined by 13 percentage points over 2 years, from71 percent in 2000 to 58 percent in 2002. This drop is statistically significant and corresponds to a striking 45 percent increase in nonuse.