Sen. Judy Seeberger and safety officials warn after spike in Minnesota motorcycle deaths

Sen. Judy Seeberger convened a news conference with traffic-safety officials and rider groups on July 13 to urge motorists and motorcyclists to take steps to reduce a recent rise in motorcycle fatalities in Minnesota.

The Office of Traffic Safety's director, Mike Hansen, said, "So far, 37 motorcycle riders have been killed on Minnesota roads this year," compared with 24 at the same point last year. Hansen warned the state could see "around 90" fatalities this year if the current trend continues and said the increase represents the highest numbers seen in a couple of decades.

Hansen said about half of motorcycle fatalities are single-vehicle run-off crashes, often occurring when riders are cornering or negotiating curves, where speed and skill level contribute; the other half involve interactions between motorcycles and motor vehicles. "In general terms, one-third of fatalities in Minnesota involve an impaired driver," he said, and the office will follow up with detailed breakdowns on impairment in motorcycle crashes.

Sen. Seeberger, who represents District 41 and lives in Afton, said she called the conference to highlight preventable deaths and urged drivers: "Put your phone down. Give yourself enough time to get where you're going. If you've been drinking, please don't drive." She also said she supports stronger penalties for repeat impaired-driving offenders but "will never support any law mandating helmet use in the state of Minnesota," adding that she wears a full-face helmet when she rides and encourages safety.

Representatives of the Saint Croix Valley Riders described education and training their group provides. The club's president (Don) said the group reimburses eligible members up to $279 for endorsement or intermediate/advanced rider training. Luke Trombley, the group's rider education coordinator, said expanding practical courses and outreach 'including parking-lot skill sessions'is a priority to help riders develop confidence and safer riding techniques.

Several speakers gave personal testimony about a recent fatal crash. Heather Sevelyn, who said she is the founder of a St. Croix Valley women's motorcycle group, described Dana Milan as a teacher and advocate and called the crash "preventable," saying the driver involved was on a second impaired-driving offense and is out on unconditional bail. Ashley Gill, a member of the Saint Croix Valley Litas, urged "swift and just sentencing" and said Robert Rodriguez was arrested June 10 on a second DUI charge and that Milan died after his vehicle pulled out in front of her motorcycle; those are assertions from speakers at the event and have not been adjudicated here.

Reporters asked where fatalities are occurring across the state. Hansen said an analyst's review shows the fatalities split about half in metropolitan areas and half in Greater Minnesota. On lane filtering and lane splitting, he said the law has been on the books for about a year and it is still too early to draw "realistic conclusions" about its safety impact; he repeated the guidance that filtering above 25 mph would break the law and urged riders and drivers to follow the 25 mph parameter.

No legislation was proposed at the news conference. Sen. Seeberger said she would consider pursuing stiffer penalties for repeat impaired-driving offenders but reiterated she would not back a mandatory helmet requirement; she emphasized training and education as policy priorities.

The event closed after a question-and-answer session; officials said the Office of Traffic Safety will provide additional data on impairment and other crash factors to reporters following the news conference.