Police are urging motorcyclists to slow down, after a shocking four motorcycle deaths, and another crash with life-threatening injuries so far this August, in RCMP-policed areas of the Lower Mainland.
"The main contributing factors seem to have been the speed of the motorcycles and the inability of the drivers to react quickly enough to their surroundings," said Supt. Norm Gaumont, head of traffic services for the RCMP in the Lower Mainland.
He points out that sometimes motorists, making left hand turns in front of oncoming motorcycles, have failed to see the motorcycles, particularly when the bikes are speeding.
"You are literally gambling with your life by driving a motorcycle at high speeds through heavy traffic," Gaumont said.
"I know motorcycles can be a lot of fun to drive, but those drivers have to know the risks and should never assume other motorists see them."
As for drivers of other vehicles, Gaumont asks they keep an eye out for motorcycles and cyclists, and slow down when making turns.
So far this year there have been seven motorcycle deaths in the Lower Mainland areas policed by the RCMP.
In the previous two years there were nine motorcycle deaths each year - and the motorcycle season in the Lower Mainland goes through October.
The RCMP in the Lower Mainland will continue to enforce speeding and other major contributing factors that are causing serious injuries and deaths.
During the month of July and August so far the RCMP have laid the following charges:
? 443 excessive speeding tickets were given out with the vehicle impounded
? 7574 speeding tickets
? 4855 seatbelt violations
? 1899 intersection violations
