State troopers looking for unsafe motorcyclists

Published 11:46 pm Thursday, October 30, 2008

MARYSVILLE — The Washington State Patrol said troopers are cracking down on speeding and recklessly driven motorcycles, trying to curb fatal accidents.

There have been nine deadly motorcycle crashes in the past 12 weeks, mostly in Skagit and Whatcom counties, State Patrol trooper Keith Leary said. Earlier this year, three people died riding motorcycles on Snohomish County roads between June 30 and July 22.

Troopers will focus on catching riders who speed, drive drunk and don’t wear approved helmets, Leary said.

People who are caught driving motorcycles without a proper license likely will be ticketed and their bike will impounded.

“The majority of motorcycle crashes are the fault of the rider themselves,” State Patrol Capt. Jim Lever said. “Motorcyclists have the power to save their own lives simply by changing how they ride.”