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RCMP release video of bear and motorcycle collision near Agassiz

Police are hoping viewers will think twice about speeding and focus on the road
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RCMP have released video captured from a motorcyclist's helmet cam

RCMP have released a video that illustrates exactly why it's important to pay attention to the road.

The video was seized following a collision between a motorcycle and a black bear, along the Lougheed Hwy. between Agassiz and Hope. A man driving a motorcycle was videotaping himself with a helmet cam, reaching 140 km/hr in about 20 seconds.

Just as the man reaches that speed, a passing train seems to scare a black bear out onto the road, directly into the driver's path. RCMP said that even though the driver made every effort to avoid the bear, the two collided.

The driver was taken to hospital and the bear walked away.The incident happened on June, 30 this year. The RCMP's Fraser Valley Traffic Services responded to a motorcycle accident. After ensuring the motorcyclist was receiving medical attention, the investigator quickly discovered the presence of video camera mounted on the driver helmet. The helmet and the video were seized at scene.

We've spoken in the past about motorcycle stunts and how dangerous they are; we always say you never know what could happen at high speeds. This is a perfect example. The video clearly shows nobody else on the road, and a nice clear dry day. Who would expect a bear to run across the road? says Corporal Robert McDonald of E Division Traffic Services.

Police note there are two very relevant factors as a causal factor for this motorcycle crash:

  • Distracted driving – The video shows the driver was clearly focused on capturing the speed on his odometer, and did not notice the bear until it was half way across the oncoming lane of traffic.
  • Excessive speed – The motorcycle was traveling at over 140km/h when the bear was first observed. The speed was too great and distance too short to avoid the crash.

We hope this short video will help people realize the importance of slowing down, and concentrating on the complicated task of driving a motor vehicle, says Cpl. McDonald. While motorists don't often need to avoid bears, every day drivers may need to react to events such as dogs running out suddenly in front of their vehicle, or a cyclist swerving to avoid something, or even a child running out of a driveway.

To view the video, visit the RCMP website.



Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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