A fatal motorcycle crash that left a Sacramento man dead marked a total of 20 car accident fatalities in El Dorado County this year. The man, 25, was heading north when he lost control of his motorcycle at a curve and slid into the southbound lane of oncoming traffic. It was struck by a Honda Accord throwing both himself and his passenger to the shoulder.
A gentleman and his wife who heard the crash got to the scene within minutes and tried to help before medics arrived. First responders arrived shortly thereafter and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the CHP, the amount of deaths is nearly double that of 2018 and marks an alarming trend of fatal car accidents in El Dorado County. CHP spokesperson Andrew Brown said that with the weather getting better, safety is even more important for motorcycle and car drivers because more cars will be on the road.
Summer Driving Safety Tips
• Get a check-up on your vehicle. This includes checking all of your fluid levels in your car. Many places that do oil changes will check them and top you off for free if you received an oil change there. Make sure that your battery and belts are in good shape and if your car hasn’t had a tune-up in a while it may be time. If you plan to take an extended trip make sure to check the air pressure in your tires. If you’re unsure of what it should be, you can google your car and tire pressure and should be able to find it.
• Obey traffic laws. Officer Brown from the CHP said there are four main factors in the majority of accidents: speed, not using a seat belt, driving under the influence, and/or distracted driving. Most of these are illegal. Using a phone is illegal in California, but even hands free, changing the radio, or talking to passengers can cause distractions in the car. Car accidents, especially fatal ones, can be prevented if traffic laws are followed.
• Allow yourself time to get to your destination. We live in a world of now, now, now, with everyone running around quickly. If you’re in a rush this can lead to speeding and/or trying to do things in the car like makeup, brushing hair, eating, etc. that you may not have done otherwise. Try to give yourself ample time to drive safely to where you’re going.
• Have a safety kit and flat tire in your car. Your safety kit should include basic items like a flashlight, flares, “help needed” sign, and a small first aid kit. You should also have jumper cables, tire pressure gauge, jack and spare tire, and work gloves. While this may sound like a lot (especially if you have AAA), you never know where you may break down or get into an accident. You may not have cell reception or your battery may be low.
If you’ve been in a car accident, try to keep everyone calm, move them to safety, and call 911. Even if the accident seems minor, it is best to get medical attention right away so that injuries aren’t left undiagnosed
