Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 11, 2007 issue
Story by Carly Pieper
Statewide, motorcycle deaths increased 15 percent, from 117 to 134 in 2005, according to preliminary crash data provided by UNC’s Highway Safety Research Center.
“Traffic fatalities continued a deadly march upward last year in North Carolina,” said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas in a statement.
Graham and Swain counties had the highest injury rates in crashes that involved motorcycles, according to the AAA Carolina’s annual analysis of North Carolina crash data.
“Nationally, motorcycle deaths are increasing more than 10 percent annually,” Parsons said. “We see younger riders (20 to 29 years of age) and older riders (those over 59) being the two age groups involved most in fatal wrecks.”
New Hanover, Durham and Graham are the most dangerous countries with the most crashes per mile driven, while Polk, Haywood and Swain counties are the safest.
“Highway crashes are one of the biggest public health hazards in North Carolina, and we need to begin to give it the same attention we give Avian Flu and West Nile virus,” said Parsons. “The motoring public needs to be aware that, behind the wheel of any vehicle, there are serious risks.”
Fortunately, highway deaths dropped from 1,574 in 2004 to 1,535 last year, and the number of total crashes dropped 4 percent.
AAA Carolinas’ study is based on the number of crashes, deaths and injuries per mile traveled in each county to show where motorists have the greatest and least chance of being in a crash, injured or killed.