High gas prices may be contributing to a spike in motorcycle fatalities in Connecticut, with 17 deaths reported this year, including nine in recent weeks.
According to the University of Connecticut’s Transportation Safety Research Center, the current fatality rate represents a 20% increase compared to average annual figures.
Eric Jackson, Executive Director of the center, noted that younger individuals may be opting for motorcycles to economize on fuel. He added that a significant number of recent crashes involved bikes less than two years old.
Jackson urged new riders to undergo proper training and obtain licenses, emphasizing the importance of wearing full protective gear, including helmets, while riding.