MVA prompts police to remind motorcyclists of wildlife risk
By Rossland Telegraph
A Penticton man is lucky to be alive after hitting a deer near Rossland, according to Trail RCMP NCO i/c Sgt. Mike Wicentowich.
“On Aug. 19, at 9:04 p.m., a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP officer responded to a collision between a motorcycle and a deer on Hwy 3B near Rossland,” he said. “Thirty-eight-year-old Penticton motorcyclist and the deer both ended up in the ditch on the side of the road after the incident. Fortunately, the motorcyclist appeared to have relatively minor injuries at the scene of the incident. A friend transported the motorcyclist to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital for a medical assessment.
Summertime in the West Kootenay is a great time to get out on your motorcycle and ride, and this year we have seen many riders travelling through the Trail area. Please be careful out there as the consequences for a motorcyclist is much worse.
ICBC Motorcycle Rider Safety Tips
Website: Motorcycle safety (icbc.com)
Training and years of riding experience can make the difference when it comes to avoiding a crash. Reduce your chances of crashing or being seriously injured by following these safety tips:
- Practice emergency braking and obstacle avoidance. Brush up on core skills in a safe place like an empty parking lot if you haven’t ridden for a few months.
- Be seen. Do your best to stay out of a driver’s blind spot.
- Watch drivers for clues. Never assume they’ve seen you or will give you the right-of-way, they may not accurately judge your distance or speed.
- Use your signals. Let drivers know what you plan to do so they can anticipate your next move and react in time.
- Plan your path prior to a curve. Look where you want to go and then adjust your lane position and speed to exit smoothly.
- Ride at a safe speed. Manage your speed to leave ample time to stop or steer out of a vehicle’s path.
The first ride after a long break can often leave you feeling a little rusty. ICBC’s Learn to ride smart and Tuning up for riders guides provide great information for bringing your knowledge and riding skills back up to par.
In addition to practicing your skills, be sure to stay focused and control your speed when riding. The top three factors assigned by police to motorcyclists involved in crashes are distraction, speed and rider error or confusion.
