Fatal Fort Lauderdale Florida I-95 Motorcycle Accident: Ramp to I-595 Claims Another Biker Life
A fatal Florida motorcycle crash that occurred last month on an onramp from interstate 95 to 595 near Fort Lauderdale is one more in a list of deadly motorcycle accidents that has state transportation authorities concerned about that ramp's safety.
Jose Manual Reyes of Hollywood, Florida, was driving his 2008 Honda M/C motorcycle southbound on I-95 heading westbound on the entrance ramp to I-595, when he struck an SUV in front of him. The impact of the crash threw Reyes off of his motorcycle and onto the ramp, while the motorcycle continued over the wall, plunging below onto Southwest 26th Terrace. Reyes was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the Dodge Durango that he hit was not cited in the motorcycle accident.
According to authorities, several motorcyclists have either crashed and died on the ramp or plunged over the wall to their deaths in recent months. State transportation authorities are looking into ways to make the ramp safer, including better lighting and warning signs.
Motorcyclists are at greater risk than other motorists when traveling on Florida interstates, highways, and streets due to the fact that their bodies are more exposed to traffic and the environment. Though the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that helmet use on U.S. highways increased to 75 percent in 2008 (Traffic Safety Facts, "Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2008 - Overall Results," Sept. 2008, NHTSA.gov) -- and studies show that helmets do save lives -- a helmet alone does not guarantee that a biker will survive a motorcycle accident.
Reyes was in fact wearing his helmet, and authorities are investigating why he lost control of his motorcycle on the ramp from Florida I-95 south to I-595 west.
Motorcyclist dies in I-595 crash Sun-Sentinel.com Nov. 2, 2008
Dangers on I-95 in South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com Photo Gallery
Related Web Resources
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: Motorcycle Safety Tips
