VCÖ highlights bikers’ high death risk

Bikers are nearly 20 times more likely to die than people who drive cars, according to a traffic research and safety awareness organisation.The Austrian Traffic Club (VCÖ) announced today (Mon) motorcyclists face a 19 times higher risk of being killed in accidents than car drivers. It explained that, for instance, people are 40 times more likely to die in cars than on trains. The institution added that 14 motorcyclists had died so far this year. Only nine died between January and May 2010, the VCÖ added.The VCÖ said that speeding, risky overtaking manoeuvres and inattentiveness were the main reasons for fatal bike crashes.The Austrian traffic ministry recently announced that 552 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in the country last year.