STATEWIDE — Maine has recorded 28 fatal motorcycle accidents this year, doubling last year’s total by the same date.
According to Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety, 28 motorcyclists have died in crashes in 2023 as of August 21, compared to 14 fatalities at this time in 2022. Moss reported that the circumstances surrounding these incidents vary, with no common factors identified among the crashes.
Several recent accidents involved vehicles crossing paths with motorcycles, and one incident reportedly included a deer as a factor. Moss noted that some victims were not wearing helmets at the time of their accidents.
Kelly Anderson, Program Manager and Rider Coach at Central Maine Harley-Davidson Riding School, emphasized the importance of safety gear. “We teach in the class to wear all the gear all the time,” she stated. Anderson advocates for increased vigilance from both motorcyclists and drivers, recommending that motorcyclists slow down at intersections and be aware of their surroundings.
Anderson advised drivers of larger vehicles to be alert: “Look twice, look for motorcycles. We’re smaller, but it still takes us just as long to stop as it does in a car.”
The rise in fatalities highlights an urgent need for heightened road safety measures and awareness among all road users. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of each incident.