Motorcycle Crashes Reach An All Time High
Arick Ames
opinion editor
Six motorcyclists from Nebraska have made national news after being involved in deadly crashes in the past week, leaving two injured and four dead.
Statewide, there have been accumulatively 14 deaths due to vehicle crashes this last week alone, including the six on motorcycles.
Benjamin White of Waverly passed away Tuesday night, Sept. 23 after striking his motorcycle into a guardrail north of Canongate Road in Waverly. He was speeding and lost control of his bike on the curve. White was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene.
He will be dearly missed by many.
“He was a good dad and he was a hard worker,” father Ray White stated on Journalstar.com. “He had a great future ahead of him.”
White’s story is the most recent of crashes that have happened all across Nebraska. The two other men who were injured include Earl P. Stone Jr. of Omaha, who had non-life-threatening injuries, and Nebraska kicker Mauro Bondi who suffered a broken collarbone.
With the four men who passed away, including White, a Fremont man, Brian Dilly was killed in a crash in Omaha Friday night. Blake Shipman from Missouri Valley was transported to an Omaha hospital Friday after crashing on Easton Trail, a few miles out of Woodbine. Also, Jeffrey Vosler, from Council Bluffs died on Wednesday when his motorcycle crashed into the side of a truck in Omaha.
The recent spike in vehicle crashes have people wondering whether motorcycles are safe or not. Motorcycles are associated with freedom. However, without taking certain precautions, that freedom could be fatal.
Motorcyclists should always wear a helmet when riding. Most of the men who died in the latest wrecks weren’t wearing helmets and, unfortunately, most likely a main factor in their deaths.
Although, many motorcyclists would probably disagree and say they know how to handle their bikes, which most do.
“Motorcycles can be dangerous, but as long as you drive them cautiously, they aren’t that bad,” junior and motorcyclist Chase Scully, said.
If you are looking into purchasing a motorcycle or you are a person who is learning how to ride one, make sure to always ride appropriately and read through your bikes manual so you fully understand how your bike works.
Overall, whether it be motorcycles or cars, everyone should be safe on the roads and be aware of their surroundings.
