TX-DoT, EPPD Urge Drivers To ‘Share The Road’ With Bikers
This month, the El Paso Police Department and the Texas Department of Transportation are urging drivers to “share the road” with motorcyclists.
The state of Texas projects that the number of motorcycles on the state’s roads will nearly double to 800,000 from 422,000 in the next five years. Texas also reports the number of motorcyclists has more than doubled in the last decade. And with that, the number of bikers hurt in a crash between a car and a bike is likely to rise as well.
Right now, 66 percent of those involved in a motorcycle wreck end up dying. Two of the 20 traffic fatalities so far this year in El Paso have been motorcyclists.
Police Officer Mike Brucks has been with EPPD for 20 years, and now rides with the Motorcycle Unit.
“I’ve seen an increase in motorcycle riders. We have a lot of motorcycle riders in El Paso due to our fair weather,” Brucks said. “And being as there are more motorcycles, there tend to be more motorcycle accidents.”
Brucks is asking drivers to make sure and check twice for motorcyclists because seeing them is saving them.
“Share the road with the motorcycle,” said Brucks. “Motorcyclists have the same rights as other vehicles. To be respectful to the other drivers, to the other motorcycle drivers we have.”
The El Paso Police Department is hosting a free motorcycle safety class on Saturday. It will be held at Edge Kawasaki, 10310 Montana Ave., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To sign up, call police at 564-7352.
