Man killed on motorcycle
Seven more MVA deaths than last year already
RICHARD DOOLEY
The Daily News
The tragic death of a 56-year-old man, killed when his motorcycle collided with a van yesterday afternoon on Lady Hammond Road, marks the 21st traffic-related fatality in metro this year.
In all of 2006, there were seven fewer deaths on Halifax roads, and the jump in numbers has the Integrated Traffic Unit of the Halifax Regional Police worried.
Although speed was not a factor in yesterday’s crash, it has overwhelmingly been the cause of the other fatal crashes this year.
“We remind motorists to slow down and pay attention to the task at hand,” Theresa Brien, spokeswoman for Halifax Regional Police, said firmly last night.
She added that driver inattention came in a close second to speed as a factor in traffic fatalities.
“What we’re seeing is people using cellphones, eating, text messaging, and it’s just not acceptable behaviour for the road,” Brien said.
Yesterday’s crash happened around 12:40 p.m. between Commission Street and Memorial Drive on Lady Hammond Road, an area where there’s been extensive construction and repaving.
The victim was the sole rider of a BSA motorcycle that struck a van making a left turn into a business on Lady Hammond Road. He was taken by ambulance to the QEII Health Sciences Centre, where he was pronounced dead.
The driver of the van wasn’t injured.
Halifax Regional Police accident investigators were on the scene for most of the afternoon photographing the vehicles and taking extensive measurements. The road was closed for several hours.
“The cause of the crash is still under investigation at this point,” Brien said.
It hasn’t been determined yet if charges will be laid.
After the crash, a black motorcycle lay on top of a rubber glove - apparently left behind by paramedics - on the road to the right of a van. A black helmet worn by the victim rested beside the van’s front tire.
Police have notified the motorcyclist’s next of kin, but his name will not be released publicly until members of his extended family are told.
Sgt. Mike Spearns, officer in charge of the Integrated Traffic Unit, could not be reached for comment last night, but told Brien that the number of tickets issued for speeding in HRM this year has been phenomenal.
Recently, when he issues tickets, Brien relayed, this is what he says: “I’m giving you this ticket, I want you to pay it, and between now and then I want you to think about the … deaths we’ve had in HRM this year.” - with files from Robyn Young
1.Watch For Motorcyclists from NS writes: this is a reminder to WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLISTS WHILE DRIVING YOUR CAR. It is widely known that people think they have the right of way over motorcyclists. THEY DONT.
It is also widely known that motorcyclists that survive accidents SUE THE PANTS OFF THE VEHICLE THAT HIT THEM!
Hhit a motorcyclist…lose your home.
2.Ian from Stellarton, Nova Scotia writes: Sorry to burst your bubble Watch, but in Nova Scotia, suing your pants off, went out with the cod fishery. An arm is worth 2500, leg same, hands 1500, not alot more if you paralize someone either. That’s why you have your own insurance, I hope. Anyway, I don’t agree with it, but it’s fact. It is also widely know that motorcyclists think they own the road and pass on either side and weave in and out of traffic. Now, I doubt that happened in this case, because of his age, but don’t blame the cars yet! Posted 07/09/2007 at 7:29 am
3.Watch For Motorcyclists from NS writes: i hate to burst YOUR bubble bub but im talking CIVIL LAWSUIT. the sky is the limit there..
