OPP: More than half of motorcyclists killed last year died through no fault of their own

Provincial police say more than half of the motorcyclists who died on OPP-patrolled roads last year were killed through no fault of their own.

According to a new OPP report, 27 motorcyclists and four passengers died in 2015 – 17 of those riders were driving properly when they were involved in a fatal crash.

This is the first time police say they have seen this in the last 10 years.

The report, which was issued on Monday, examines the 267 motorcycle fatalities that took place between 2006 and 2015.

Loss of control contributed to 33 of those fatalities, while speed contributed to 30 and failing to yield caused 28 deaths.

“While these causal factors can be attributed to either the motorcyclist or the driver(s) of other vehicle(s) involved in the collision, the bottom line is that motorcyclists and other drivers need to do a better job of sharing the road safely,” the report states.

The report also examines the 167 off-road vehicle deaths that have taken place in the last 10 years.

In 74 of those deaths, police found the riders were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash. At the same time, the report identifies that riders were ejected from the vehicle in 154 of those incidents.

“The OPP remains concerned about the significant number of off-roaders who may falsely believe they can survive serious head trauma better than those who are ejected from other types of motorized vehicles,” the report states.

Police say more than two dozen of the deceased were teenagers or were even younger.

“These tragic, preventable deaths speak to the importance of all ORV users respecting the law and setting excellent examples for children who are being introduced to off-roading, whether as a new rider or a passenger.”

With the Victoria Day long weekend fast approaching, the OPP is appealing to the public to be mindful when on and off the roads.