During the nine months to Jan. 20, from the total 937 road deaths in Tehran, close to 38% were motorcyclists, the Traffic Police reported.
Referring to the latest data on road mortality in the capital city, the Traffic Police official Colonel Ehsan Momeni told Tasnim news agency that in nine months more than 350 motorcyclists lost their lives in road accidents in the crowded metropolis.
Motorcyclists and their dangerous driving habits have long endangered the lives of pedestrians and themselves. "Careless motorists were also responsible for 63% of road accidents during the period."
Data show that among the total number of motorcyclists who died in road crashes, 33% were between 18 and 28 years old.
"Unfortunately many motorbike riders don’t wear helmets [especially during the summer months] and head injury is the cause of death of 87% of the victims," the police officer said.
He added that 53% of the motorcycle-involved accidents were on highways and in 28% of cases the cause of the crash was careless driving.
The bikers have been regularly urged to respect traffic rules, he recalled. “Drivers and motorists must avoid using the cell phone, text messaging, and munching while driving.”
Speeding, lane splitting (driving between two rows of slow moving vehicles), sudden stops, sleep-deprivation (fatigue), overtaking from the wrong side, running a red light, and munching behind the wheel are other factors leading to death and disaster on the road.
The police officer pointed out that in many cases reckless bikers have crashed into open car doors when passengers were getting in or out of vehicles.
Momeni warned against dangerous riding habits like carrying oversized loads on motorbikes and driving on sidewalks.
Motorcycle accidents can result in serious consequences, including brain damage, spinal cord injury, broken bones, and more. These injuries can be life threatening and require lifetime medical treatment many cannot afford.
Motorbikes used for moving goods and passengers for long have been an irritant to pedestrians as most bikers make a mockery of traffic rules on a daily basis and get away with it.
There are over 7 million registered motorcycles in the country, almost half in the capital.
