Motorcycle Crashes Increase

• {Frankfort, Kentucky}...Kentucky State Police report that 2012 has already shown a spike in motorcycle-related crashes. KSP spokesman Lt. David Jude says, through April 4th, there have been 249 motorcycle-related crashes resulting in 167 injuries and 9 deaths. When compared to crashes in 2011 for the same time period, a 69 percent increase in crashes, 75 percent increase in injuries and 44 percent increase in deaths. With over 40,000 followers on Facebook, 2,900 followers on Twitter and an active YouTube, Flickr and blogger accounts, the agency plans a weeklong social media campaign to blast out motorcycle safety messaging via social media. Jude says the increase in motorcycle crashes and fatalities has stepped up the emphasis on the agency’s annual Motorcycle Safety Day awareness program. This will be the 5th year that the agency will host the event that includes safety exhibits, motorcycle vendors, a news conference and a police escorted ride through scenic Kentucky. This program is scheduled for Friday, June 22nd, at KSP Headquarters in Frankfort.