As Temperatures Rise, So Do Motorcycle Accidents

There has been a spike in motorcycle accidents across the metro. Warmer weather has more bikers hitting the open road and EMSA has responded to more than a dozen accidents in the past two days alone.

EMSA reports there were 38 motor vehicle crashes in the metro on Saturday and several of them involved motorcycles with serious injuries. That's why safety officials are urging riders and drivers to stay alert on the road.

"It's been very, very busy," said EMSA Supervisor, Susie Patterson. "I've heard probably at least over a dozen in the past few days."

Patterson says when it comes to motorcycles, oftentimes, the nicer it gets outside can mean nastier it gets on the road.

"Seen a huge spike in motorcycle accidents, they're laying them down with running over bad terrain, we had a fatality last week, we've seen a huge spike in just the last few days," Patterson said.

Patterson says one rider flipped off his bike Sunday morning and is in critical condition.

"When you lay your bike down and you become dislodged from your bike, we see road rash all over your body, we see your head even with a helmet on, you hit the pavement, you hit things at a high speed," said Patterson.

Safety workers stress that bikers wear more padding, helmets, high-visibility clothing to avoid accidents.

"Anytime that you're involved in a motorcycle crash, and you're the motorcyclist, you're going to lose 100 percent of the time," said OHP trooper Betsy Randolph.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol offers free safe riders classes several times each month.

"Throttle control, breaking control, steering, avoiding things that are in the roadway," said Randolph. "If you stay alert, we're hoping that you'll be able to stay alive."

Learn more about OHP's Safe Riders Classes