Clark County and fatal injury motorcycle crashes 2008-12
| Fatal | Injury | |
2012 year-to-date
2011
Source: Ohio Department of Public Safety
Clark County has recorded more fatal crashes involving motorcycles so far in 2012 than in each year since at least 2007.
And half of all fatal crashes in the county this year involved a motorcycle, a trend that prompted local agencies and a local motorcycle dealer Friday to plead for motorists’ help to curb further deaths.
“Of the 10 fatalities total for Clark County, we have five of them that are motorcycle-related,” said Anita Biles, spokeswoman for the Clark County Combined Health District, at a joint press conference. “And that is high compared to what we’ve seen in the past.”
In spring, an Ohio State Highway Patrol report indicated motorcycle deaths had declined over the last three years, despite an increase in motorcycle registrations and endorsements, according to a Springfield News-Sun report.
Endorsements rose each year from 2007-11, and registrations increased each year from at least 2010-12, according to statistics from the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
The main message of Friday’s press conference was “Be aware.”
Springfield Police Chief Steve Moody said his department was affected by a fatal motorcycle crash last month.
Retired Springfield police patrolman William Parks, 60, a 16-year veteran, was killed, and his wife, Cindy Parks, 57, was transported to a Dayton hospital for treatment after a pickup truck struck the motorcycle they were riding on July 7.
Police suspected the driver of the truck involved in that crash was intoxicated when his vehicle went left of center on Yellow Springs Street and struck the motorcycle. No charges had been filed as of Friday, according to court records.
It was one of two fatal crashes and four total motorcycle crashes in the city that weekend.
“This is a concerted effort of the entire Springfield/Clark County community,” Moody said. “We simply ask the community to step up and work with us to ensure the motorcyclists of this community can do what they love and enjoy.”
Highway Patrol Springfield Post Commander Lt. Matthew Cleaveland encouraged drivers of cars and trucks to remain vigilant for motorcyclists by frequently checking their mirrors and blind spots, using their turn signals and giving plenty of space.
Brian Cubbage, owner of Mid-Ohio Harley Davidson, said motorcyclists need to be just as aware as drivers of their four-wheeled brethren.
“As riders, we have responsibilities as well as drivers. We need to be aware of our surroundings at all times,” Cubbage said. “Most of all, never ever assume they can see you. In lot of cases, they don’t.”
“It’s incumbent upon all of us to watch out for motorcycles,” Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said. He reminded riders to wear light-colored clothing, ride with their lights on and wear a helmet.
“We know that helmets, just like seatbelts, save lives,” Kelly said.
Representatives from the Clark County-Springfield Transportation Coordinating Committee and the Ohio Air National Guard were also on hand.
The press conference on City Hall Plaza preceded the sixth annual Hot Rods & Harley’s event from 2-10 p.m. today on the plaza.
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