The Myrtle Beach Fall Bike Rally witnessed it’s first traffic fatality yesterday. A motorcyclist was killed in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 501 near Conway on Monday.
The driver of the motorcycle operated a Suzuki. Suzuki motorcycles are less common during the Fall bike rally. Indian Motorcycles and Harley Davidsons are the bikes of choice for Fall bike rally tourists.
Several lanes of U.S. 501 were closed in the aftermath of the crash and traffic was backed up for several hours. Crews also worked to clean up a fuel spill from the crash, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.
According to Lance Cpl. Lena Butler with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at 3:21 p.m. on U.S. 501 and Amber Lane.
Butler said the driver of a 2009 Ford 250 pickup truck was making a left turn onto northbound 501 when he was struck by the driver of a 1996 Suzuki motorcycle.
Butler said the motorcycle driver died at the scene. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, there were 5,014 motorcyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States.
No name was released for the motorcyclist.
Traffic was backed up for several hours, according to a post by the South Carolina Department of Transportation on X, formerly known as Twitter.
FALL RALLY A LARGE EVENT
Bike rallies in Myrtle Beach happen twice annually. Once in the Spring during May.
A Fall bike rally is held every October. These tourists bring in much needed dollars to the local economy.
Grand Strand Bikers tend to be some of the best drivers on area roads.
However, today’s technology features challenges.
DISTRACTED DRIVING
Distracted driving is a significant issue that contributes to road accidents and fatalities. However, the precise number of drivers who die annually specifically due to distracted driving can be challenging to determine as it requires accurate reporting and classification of accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, there were 3,142 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted driving in the United States. It’s important to note that this includes not only drivers but also passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Please remember that distracted driving encompasses various behaviors such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, grooming, using in-vehicle technologies, and other activities that divert attention from the primary task of driving. It is crucial to practice safe and focused driving habits to help reduce accidents and fatalities caused by distractions.
DRUNK DRIVERS ON THE ROAD
Drunk driving continues to be a significant concern and a leading cause of traffic accidents and fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, there were 10,142 deaths in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in the United States. This accounts for approximately 28% of all traffic-related fatalities in the country.
It’s important to remember that these numbers represent fatalities directly attributed to alcohol-impaired driving, where at least one driver involved had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher, which is above the legal limit. Impaired driving not only puts the lives of the drivers at risk but also endangers passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.
Efforts to prevent drunk driving, such as public awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of laws, and education on responsible alcohol consumption, are crucial in reducing these tragic incidents and promoting safer roads.