HPD wants motorcyclists to slow down following rash of crashes

Following a spate of fatal, high-speed motorcycle crashes, Honolulu police are warning motorcycle riders to slow down and are trying to create motorcycle workshops at Aloha Stadium and Marine Corps Base Kaneohe.

In addition to two critical motorcycle accidents this year, “four motorcyclists have died on Oahu roadways in the last nine days,” Acting Capt. Ben Moszkowicz of HPD’s traffic division said Monday. “That brings the total number of motorcycle fatalities to five for the year.”

Since 2017 Oahu has seen 19 motorcycle crashes that caused fatalities or left riders in critical condition.

Speed was a factor in 17 of the 19 crashes, “which is nearly every single one,” Moszkowicz said.

Traffic investigators said excessive speed and alcohol were factors in a 1:45 a.m. motorcycle crash Sunday that killed a 31-year-old Hono­lulu man in the Ewa-bound direction of Moanalua Freeway.

The rider lost control along a curve before the Red Hill offramp, veered onto the shoulder lane and struck a guardrail, police said. He was thrown from the motorcycle and died at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet.

It was the 15th traffic fatality on Oahu this year, compared with eight at the same time last year.

On Hawaii island, police said a 15-year-old Keaau girl died in Pahoa after speeding on a stolen 2013 Honda dual-sport motorcycle shortly after 5:50 p.m. Thursday.

Police said the girl was speeding northbound on Government Beach Road, ran off the road and struck a tree near Cinder Road. She was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center at 12:12 a.m. Friday.

It was the seventh traffic-related fatality in Hawaii County compared with five at the same time last year.

While the girl was wearing a helmet, Moszkowicz said “wearing helmets most likely would have made a difference” in two of Oahu’s five motorcycle crashes this year.

Drugs and alcohol also were factors in two of the Oahu motorcycle crashes, and toxicology reports will determine whether drugs and alcohol played a role in two additional crashes, Moszkowicz said.

“Slow down and observe all posted speed limits,” he said. “Speed has been known to be a contributing factor in every single motorcycle collision that’s critical or fatal this year.”

Out of Oahu’s five fatal motorcycle crashes, one involved an active-duty military rider, and at least two of the riders did not have motorcycle licenses.

HPD’s traffic division is trying to develop a safety campaign that could include opportunities for riders to bring their bikes to Aloha Stadium to meet with solo bike officers, review safety equipment and safe-driving tips, and perhaps navigate a course.

“It’s easy to drive a motorcycle fast in a straight line,” Moszkowicz said. “It’s a lot more difficult to control the motorcycle at low speeds or while turning.”

A similar event might be held at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe, Moszkowicz said.

He encouraged motorcycle riders to “know your riding limits and to stay within your riding abilities and riding limits and to stay well below the posted speed limit.”