Deadly motorcycle crashes on the rise in Clarksville

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — One of the first lines of defense for motorcycle riders is safety equipment, which is something the Tennessee Highway Patrol knows and is working to enforce along with increasing awareness of other dangers for riders.

Prime time for motorcycles out on the roads is usually the spring and summer, which is why the THP focuses its "Look Twice" campaign in the month of May. But safety is always top of mind, especially when the snapshot of crashes is this concerning.

"The trend looks like it's increasing. Actually, when we look at January from 2022, there were 10 fatal or serious injury motorcycle crashes statewide. But in 2023, this past year, January, there were 21. So that doubled. And when you think about individuals, that's a big number," said Arriale Tabson with THP.

One area of Middle Tennessee raised a lot of red flags in the latest report. "I will tell you Montgomery County is a big area that we're looking into when it comes to traffic fatalities related to motorcycle crashes," says Tabson.

In 2022, there were eight fatal crashes in Montgomery County alone, in 2023, there were 14. As for why the increase in Montgomery County, it's not totally clear, but THP says they do have a large motorcycle presence in general. "We noticed that here in Montgomery county, Middle Tennessee area and also East Tennessee, of course, like you think of more scenic areas," said Tabson. "So, in Clarksville, I know that they are working with their traffic units and the Montgomery County traffic safety task force, they're very active. So right now we're actually going to try to work with them to get those insights and see what the crash data and information looks like for them with them being boots on the ground and actually working these crashes."

The number one contributing factor for an increase in crashes in general, according to THP, is distraction. "But the bigger issue is the other drivers, the people who are in motor vehicles because they are protected and bigger. And of course, a rider doesn't have the protections that a vehicle has. So distracted driving can be a big problem."

Another problem is rider impairment, specifically in Middle Tennessee. Looking at data from 40 counties in the region, in 2022: There were 63 fatal crashes, 43 of them involved alcohol,14 drugs, 17 both. In 2023, there were 86 fatal crashes, 45 of them involved alcohol, 20 drugs and 26 both.

"Really, the significant data that I'm seeing is alcohol and drug use, that being high as far as contributing to fatal or serious injury crashes," says Tabson.

THP says that statistic means they need to focus more on awareness. "If you're a motorcycle rider, and you're not sober, you need to have a plan for that. A lot of these crashes, they're all preventable. So if we all do our part and look out for each other, then we can make a big difference," she says.

To see the full report on crashes from THP, click here.