As if the red light cameras and photo speed enforcement are not enough, the WSP has announced what is quickly becoming their annual crackdown on motorcyclists.

Recent motorcyclist fatalities, notably one on U.S. 2 near Gold Bar two weeks ago, prompted the crackdown. Commenting on the Gold Bar fatality, WSP Trooper Kirk Rudeen said, “That was only the first nice day of the year. That makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. We don’t want this to happen every sunny day.”

There have already been six fatalities involving motorcycles through February 29, 2008, compared to only two in same time period in 2006 and 2007. Of the six motorcycle fatalities in 2008, all but one of them has been caused by the motorcycle rider.

“We used to think that most motorcycle collisions were caused by ‘the other guy,’” said WSP Chief John R. Batiste. “That’s no longer the case. Today, the riders themselves are responsible for the majority of these crashes, and that’s entirely preventable.”

According to the WSP, the primary causes of motorcycle collisions are lane travel, speeding, alcohol, and inattention. The WSP will continue to be very active in dealing with these types of violations, as well as motorists who fail to yield the right of way to motorcyclists.

In 2007, the Washington State Patrol took a proactive role in trying to reduce the number of motorcycle collisions. WSP credits strong enforcement as one of the reasons there were 15 fewer motorcycle deaths in 2007 as compared to 2006.

According to Rudeen there has been an increase in the number of accidents and fatalities among older riders. He says that these crashes often occur because of the rider’s inability to control the larger, heavier motorcycles that are popular with older riders.

WSP plans to use aircraft to spot speeding and reckless motorcyclists on Washington roads. They are also reminding riders that they have a “zero-tolerance policy” for impounding the motorcycles of unendorsed riders.

“We have nothing against motorcycles,” Rudeen said. “I understand the freedom and they get so much better gas mileage, but we want people to be safe.”