It’s A Dangerous Game Being a Biker in Amarillo

Motorcycles are a way of life for some people.  For some it's life for others, it's a hobby.  However, the danger that comes with riding on a motorcycle is great.

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Amarillo over the weekend has seen multiple motorcycle wrecks and some of those included fatalities.

A motorcycle vs. vehicle wreck took place on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at I-27 and Washington.  According to the APD,  Ronald Barnes was driving his Harley southbound on Washington, when Barnes hit a Hyundai SUV that was traveling eastbound on the I-27 frontage road. The driver of the SUV sustained minor injuries.   Ronald Barnes died from his injuries sustained during the wreck.  The incident is still being investigated by the APD Traffic Investigation Squad.

According to speculation, that particular area is dangerous and a lot of drivers tend to try and beat the traffic light.

Later that evening another wreck happened at just off I-40 on Bell near Everett, the man driving the motorcycle was ok but his rider sustained serious injuries.

The Amarillo area has seen multiple motorcycle wrecks and deaths this year.

March 13th, 2022 - Intersection of Willow Creek and Broadway, motorcycles vs. vehicle, no deaths

June 27, 2022 - I-40 near Vega, fatality when a blowout occurred on the motorcycle, passenger died.

July 18, 2022 I-27 near West Country Club exit near Canyon, car vs motorcycle, head-on collision.  The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene.

July 18, 2022, Ross Street, Motorcycle vs. Median, 46-year- old male died at the scene.  Speeding and having no helmet were factors in the death.

This is another reason why the Texas Department of Transportation pushes so hard every year in its Share the Road campaign.   According to TxDOT, 519 riders died and 2,318 were seriously injured.  Half of these were the result of motorcycle vs. vehicle crashes.

TxDOT also offers tips on Sharing the Road:

• Take extra care when making a left turn. It is safest to let the motorcycle pass to avoid turning in front of the rider.
• Pay special attention at intersections. Nearly one in three motorcycle fatalities happens at a roadway intersection.
• Give driving your full attention. Even a momentary distraction, such as answering a phone call or changing the radio station, can have deadly consequences.
  Look twice when changing lanes. Check mirrors, blind spots, and always use turn signals.
• Give motorcycles room when passing them. Move over to the passing lane and don’t crowd the motorcyclist’s full lane.
• Stay back. If you’re behind a motorcycle, always maintain a safe following distance. When a motorcyclist downshifts instead of applying the brake to slow down, it can catch drivers off guard since there are no brake lights to signal reduced speed.
• Slow down. Obey posted speed limits and drive to conditions.