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http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080903/NEWS05/80903006/1002/NEWS01

RICHMOND — Motorcyclists in Virginia are the worst in the nation when it comes to staying sober and staying alive, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.

“While other states are seeing decreases in the number of alcohol-related motorcycle fatalities in 2007, Virginia deaths are roaring to new levels,” said Martha Mitchell Meade, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Nationally, the number of traffic fatalities attributed to alcohol-impaired motorcyclists increased in 2007 by 7.5 percent, from 1,508 to 1,621 deaths compared to the prior year. In Virginia, traffic deaths attributed to impaired motorcyclists in 2007 increased 160 percent. Fifteen motorcyclists under the influence died in 2006 compared to 39 in 2007. The increase of 24 motorcyclist fatalities in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in Virginia was the largest in the nation.

In addition to the upward trend in the number of motorcycle deaths due to alcohol, the overall number of people killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes increased last year in Virginia, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In contrast, drunk driving-related deaths fell in 32 states. New data shows that traffic fatalities caused by motorists driving under the Influence in 2007 were down nationwide by 493 deaths, from 13,491 to 12,998, a nearly 4 percent drop when compared to 2006.

Wild Flower · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:44 am Post subject:

How many of those alcohol-impaired mototcyclists were from out of state? If these alcohol-related stats include folks from out of state it would be nice to see the stats on Virginia residents only.

~Wildflower
_________________
"We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all our citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization." ~Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Boil · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:52 pm Post subject: Watch the Stats

While I agree this may be a problem the article is misleading, the number they quote is alcohol involved, which means there was alcohol in their system, as little as .020, not the same as say an .080 or higher. Always remember AAA is supported and run by insurance companies.
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Jim Cannon, Director
Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists