The Wininger Law Firm - July 8, 2012
- Vehicle Accidents
With the economic recession, more workers have turned to motorcycles as a means of commuting to work each day, as the fuel economy of motorcycles is greater than that of most automobiles on the highways today. A motorcycle’s economy varies, with ranges from a low of 29 mpg up to a high of 107 mpg. In the Motorcycle Industry Council’s 2008 owner’s survey, motorcyclists cited transportation as one of the top reasons for owning a bike, which was ahead of short-distance or leisure riding, which were once the main reasons for owning motorcycles. With the increase of motorcyclists on our country’s highways, unfortunately, comes an increase in the number of motorcycle injuries and fatalities as well. One Alabama rider commuting to work on Sunday, was killed in a motorcycle crash in Graysville.
Anthony James Tanniehill of Birmingham, was killed when he lost control of his 2012 Suzuki motorcycle on Brookville School Road, stated deputy Jefferson County Coroner Bill Yates. According to Yates, it appeared that the 43-year-old motorcyclist lost control as he navigated a curve in the roadway, then left the roadway, and ended up striking a fire hydrant. A motorist found Tanniehill laying along the side of the road and called law enforcement officials.
Grayville’s fire department responded to the emergency call and pronounced Tanniehill dead at the scene of the collision.
Alabama State Troopers, who are investigating the crash, reported the crash happened at 5:15 a.m. and that Tanniehill, who was on the way to work at Donaldson Correctional Facility, was not wearing a helmet.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that helmets worn by motorcyclists in 2008 saved an estimated 1,829 lives and the economic cost savings due to helmet use for that year was approximately $2.9 billion. Although the use of DOT-compliant helmets has increased to 67 percent in 2009, from 63 percent the previous year, many motorcyclists still refuse to wear a helmet. Until motorcyclists become more responsible and take advantage of all available safety protection, lives that could have been saved will continue to be lost on our nation’s roadways.