OPP warn of possible record-breaking summer for motorcycle deaths

There has been a spike in motorcycle deaths in southwestern Ontario, and police are concerned it could be a “record-breaking summer.”

Twelve motorcyclists have been killed on southwestern Ontario highways this summer, including one in the crash in Brantford nearly two weeks ago.

West Region OPP says there have been a total of 107 crashes involving motorcycles. Aside from the 12 people killed, 57 other riders were injured.

Inspector Johnson says that close to 30 per cent of people killed in motorcycle crashes are between the age of 55-65 years old, and nearly 90 per cent of them are men.

OPP Const. Melissa Tutin says fatalities happen throughout the week, but most of them are on the weekends between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.

There have been 25 motorcycle fatalities in the province this year, and all have happened in clear road and weather conditions.