Deadly weekend for motorcyclists on Valley roads

It was a deadly weekend for motorcycle riders. Three riders were killed, all within about 30 hours of one another.
From early Saturday morning to early Sunday morning, authorities say the number of fatal motorcycle accidents was unusual.

"I would like to remind all motorists on the road to share the road not only with other vehicles, but also with other motorcyclists," said Jeremie Elliott, Nevada Highway Patrol public information officer.Two riders were both on freeways and one was out at Lake Mead Recreation area. NHP says alcohol may have been a factor in two of the motorcycle wrecks, but for one rider, the fatal accident was the unfortunate circumstance of a wrong-way driver.

"The motor vehicle was on the wrong side of the roadway, the motorcyclist did everything they could to avoid that tragedy," Elliott said.Officials say both vehicles and motorcycles going fast on Valley freeways can be a fatal mix.
"It's getting to be more and more people in this town don't pay attention, they're more worried about themselves," Denoyer said.Skilled rider Tom Denoyer has been riding motorcycles for decades. At times, he feels weary about sharing the roads with drivers and has had a few close calls himself.
"I've had a quite a few close calls out here," Denoyer said. "There's certain areas I just dread riding through, mainly the spaghetti bowl people cutting through two lanes of traffic just to make their exit."

Regardless of how skilled a motorcycle rider is, Elliott says if they collide with a car or truck, it can be deadly.NHP reports that as of the middle of August in 2012, 19 fatal motorcycle accidents occurred in Clark County. NHP says it's slightly up to 20 as of Aug. 12, 2013.Authorities say the most common accident-causing violation is when a motor vehicle makes a left turn in front of a motorcycle rider.

Denoyer says he tries to ride in groups whenever he can because he feels safer. Elliott says this can be safer because there's some power in numbers; however, he cautions that a riding group is only as strong as the weakest rider.
"When you're a newer rider, those skills take time to develop and you push yourself on the level that you're comfortable with, and that's when that tragedy occurs."
Elliott also says that most motorcycle wrecks occur with riders between the ages of 22 and 28 years old. For younger riders, he says it's imperative to brush up on your skills.