Dedham Police Department

DEDHAM, MASS. - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls on drivers and riders to commit to sharing the road through safe driving and riding practices and by recognizing that Motorcyclists’ Safety Is Everyone’s Safety.

Motorcycle ownership and miles traveled have shown steady growth over time, and motorcycle rider fatalities have gone up. “Road safety for motorcyclists should be a concern and priority for every road user. Every year, a disproportionate number of motorcyclists are involved in traffic fatalities,” said Detective Deb Gonski of the Dedham Police Department. “These fatalities can be prevented through consistent safe behavior from both drivers and riders,” she said.

According to the latest NHTSA data, from 2023, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes that year representing 15% of all the traffic fatalities. The fatality rate for motorcyclists was 28 times higher than that of passenger car occupants. Speed and alcohol impairment are the leading contributors in fatalities among motorcycle riders. Thirty-six percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to 22% of all passenger car drivers. Of the motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes, 41% were alcohol-impaired.

Motorcycle riders practicing these easy safety steps can potentially save lives:
• Ride sober.
• Observe all traffic laws.
• Obey the speed limit.
• Ride defensively.
• Avoid distractions while driving.
• Wear protective clothing and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets.

For motorcyclists, hands-on motorcycle rider education provides dynamic riding skills and builds rider confidence. Completing such training is essential and may provide insurance discounts while easing the path to obtaining a motorcycle license. Motorcyclists can contact their state motor vehicle administration to get licensed and find a motorcycle rider training course near them.

NHTSA leads efforts to increase helmet use nationwide. Motorcycle riders can learn how to identify a safe, DOT-compliant helmet at NHTSA.gov/Motorcycles. M.G.L. Ch. 90 s 7 requires: Every person operating a motorcycle or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or in a sidecar attached to a motorcycle shall wear protective head gear conforming with such minimum standards of construction and performance as the registrar may prescribe, and no person operating a motorcycle shall permit any other person to ride as a passenger on such motorcycle or in a sidecar attached to such motorcycle unless such passenger is wearing such protective head gear.

While driving, please remember, motorcycles are everywhere – “Check twice – save a life”.

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HELP NEEDED:

Yesterday, several reports of vehicles being entered were received. One stolen vehicle was reported. This vehicle was subsequently recovered. Streets off of High Street between Dedham Square and East Dedham Square were impacted.

These are opportunistic crimes. We need help in removing the opportunity for these crimes to be committed. Please, lock your vehicle doors and do not leave keys or any other valuables in your vehicle.

If any suspicious activity is observed, please call 911 with as much descriptive information as possible. These crimes typically occur during the overnight hours.

If possible, park in well lit areas and within view of any surveillance cameras.

Yesterday, we received two reports of vehicles being entered overnight in one of our neighborhoods. We need your help to prevent more of these situations.

If you ensure that your vehicle is locked each time you walk away from it and don’t leave any valuables in your vehicle, the opportunity for such crimes to take place will be greatly reduced.

Please protect your property.