VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The provincial government is promising to get tough on safety following a B.C. Coroner's Service Death Panel Review on the rising number of traffic fatalities involving motorcycles. A zero tolerance for alcohol, a common industry standard for motorcycle helmets, and a graduated licensing program are among the plan's 9 recommendations.
Adelle Thompkins of the B.C. Coalition of Motorcyclists says it's not enough. "We don't feel that it is going to make a whole lot of difference. We just feel that they're doing a knee-jerk reaction instead of actually addressing the problem." Thompkins adds in collisions between cars and motorcycles, two thirds of the time the blame rests with the person driving the car. According to Thompkins, what's needed is more education for motorcyclists and other drivers.
Vancouver emergency room doctor Roy Purssell says he agrees more training for all drivers would help but adds motorcycles are far more dangerous. "I think it's an excellent idea to look at motorcycles specifically." As an E.R. doctor, he's seen first hand how the proper helmet can mean the difference between life and death. Prussel once treated a man who was run over by a truck and spent less than a day in emergency thanks to the fact he was wearing the right helmet.