Nanaimo RCMP say while May is motorcycle awareness month, drivers on any vehicle need to drive safely all year. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

motorcycle safety

3rd serious accident in 1 week highlights need for motorcycle awareness

Apr 19, 2020 | 12:59 PM

NANAIMO – Motorcycle awareness month in May is getting attention early after three motorcycle accidents in the mid-island area in one week.

A motorcycle rider suffered life threatening injuries after a crash on Hammond Bay Rd. on Monday, April 13. On Wednesday, April 15, two people riding a motorcycle were airlifted to hospital after a crash with a SUV on Hwy. 4 in Coombs.

Nanaimo RCMP are now investigating a major accident on Saturday, April 19 which sent two motorcyclists to hospital.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said the crash happened when a SUV tried to make a U-turn on Morden Rd. The first motorcycle hit the passenger side of the car, causing life-threatening injuries to the 30-year-old rider. They were airlifted to a hospital in Victoria.

A second rider was taken to Nanaimo hospital with serious injuries.

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Those in the SUV weren’t injured and remained on scene to help investigators.

“We’ve seen a number of serious collisions between vehicles and motorcyclists,” O’Brien said. “Unfortunately, we expect more to continue.”

May is motorcycle awareness month but O’Brien said it was prudent to send out early reminders to drivers about the many factors leading to motorcycle crashes.

“I think motorists aren’t used to sharing the road with motorcycles. They have a quick acceleration and sometimes they’re in blind spots. They make different noises compared to cars.”

Nanaimo RCMP had to investigate several fatal motorcycle crashes in 2019, including a crash on Nanaimo Lakes Rd. and on the Island Hwy.

“It’s not a new phenomena of motorcycles and cars sharing the road.,” O’Brien said. “Everybody has to drive safely.”

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