Got the news alert on my phone this morning, you know, the usual buzz. But this one, it wasn’t the usual stuff. It says “fatal motorcycle crash today.” Man, that hit me hard. I’m a rider myself, and every time I hear about one of these, it’s like a punch to the gut.
So, I did what I always do when I get one of these – I dug in. Started reading up on what happened. Turns out, it was some young kid, just 18. He lost his life. Eighteen, man, that’s way too young. It got me thinking, you know? Maybe I should just hang up my helmet for good. But then again, riding is such a big part of my life.
I went down this rabbit hole of stats and stories. Did you know that us on motorcycles, we’re like 29 times more likely to die in a crash than someone in a car? Twenty-nine times! That’s just insane when you think about it. And every year, there are so many of these fatal crashes. They say that in 2022, there were 6… well, I stopped counting.
- First thing I did was check the news. Had to know what happened, where it happened, who was involved. The details, you know?
- Then I started looking at the numbers. How often do these crashes happen? What’s the main cause? That kind of stuff.
- I even started reading personal stories. Other riders, families of people who died in crashes. It’s heavy stuff, but it feels important to know.
These official reports, like the one from this National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, they say that head injuries are a major killer in motorcycle accidents. And helmets, they can save lives. They say that if everyone wore a helmet, it would save a ton of lives each year. But it is not just about wearing a helmet.
Digging Deeper
I spent hours on this today. Reading, thinking, talking to some other riders online. It’s not just about being sad about this young kid, though that’s a big part of it. It’s about reminding myself, and maybe reminding others, that we gotta be super careful out there. It’s dangerous, man. One mistake, and it could be over.
I’m not saying I’m gonna stop riding. But stuff like this, it really makes you think. You gotta respect the road, respect the bike, and for God’s sake, be aware of everything around you. It’s not just about you, either. It’s about your family, your friends, everyone who cares about you.
Anyway, that’s my day. Not exactly how I planned to spend it, but I felt like I needed to do this, to process it somehow. Stay safe out there, everyone. Especially if you’re on two wheels. Remember this kid, remember this story. It could save your life.
