Brutal Statistics of Local Motorcycle Accidents In Nayarit
Tara A. Spears
It is alarming how many injuries and deaths from motorcycle crashes occur in our otherwise peaceful community. It is sad, unnecessary, and preventable. Riding a motorcycle offers a thrill and freedom unmatched by driving a car, but motorcyclists face inherent risks every day. According to the Government Department of Consumer Affairs, there has been a nationwide 80% increase of fatalities involved motorcyclists, even though motorcycles represent only 3% of registered vehicles.
However, the number of motorcycle – related accidents in Nayarit has increased by more than 90% in the last three years, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). The head of the state ‘s Mobility Secretariat, Sistiel Buhaya, stated that there are up to four accidents reported daily in Nayarit; with Federal Highway 200 as the most dangerous location.
The official explained that, although there has been a decrease in vehicle accidents involving private cars, the situation is the opposite for motorcycles. This increase is mainly attributed to the rapid growth of motorcycle availability in small towns which is putting more inexperienced drivers on the streets. Along with the motorcycle boom, there are six options for purchasing a new motorcycle in Penita, there has been an increase in deaths and injuries among motorcyclists. Experts describe this trend as an “epidemic” caused by factors such as lack of experience, recklessness, excessive speed, and the characteristics of the motorcycles. The exposed nature of cycling means injuries are often worse and more likely to result in fatalities.
During the past year, the Nayarit Prosecutor said there were 152 deaths of motorcyclists involved in accidents, of which 95 percent or more were “people were not wearing helmets.” Every time that I drive from Guayabitos to Penita I see overloaded motorcycles with young children without helmets. Tragic.
The state and federal government has stepped up media safe driving messages, like the one pictured. Unfortunately, it does not seem to affect the problem. In addition, local Regaladors and the State Police provided free motorcycle safety classes in Penita but they were sparsely attended. Perhaps a regular, ongoing offering of the courses would reach more motorcycle drivers. Another strategy might be to make attending a motorcycle safety class mandatory before issuing a motorcycle driver’s license. Perhaps it will require vigorous enforcement to shake up the irresponsible motorcycle drivers and prevent more deaths. All of these accidents are so unnecessary!
Surprisingly, it is rare to have vehicle malfunction as a contributing factor to the motorcycle accidents. That means that the majority are operator negligence and therefore preventable. The principle causes for these accidents include: excessive speed (which reduces the motorcyclist’s and other drivers’ ability to react); failure to maintain a safe distance between vehicles; improper maneuvering, especially between lanes; being attentive to cell phones; passing in illegal areas; and failure to follow traffic rules. These factors also include a lack of appropriate clothing and equipment for driving motorcycles.
During the current summer vacation season, traffic accidents on Nayarit’s roads have increased by between 20% and 30%, warned Josué Monteón Ojeda, state delegate of the National Emergency Commission.
“We see that many young people, even minors, receive a motorcycle as part of a commercial promotion and immediately begin riding it without protective equipment, without technical knowledge, and at dangerous speeds. This leads them to suffer accidents, often on dirt roads or highways where they believe there is no risk,” Buhaya stated. The Secretary of Mobility noted that this problem requires urgent attention, as many of these motorcyclists have never driven a vehicle of this type before and lack adequate training.