Thinking of using a moped to get around?

Too many people think that the 40 minute or so solving of a crime from its discovery to an arrest as depicted on primetime TV is real. They've not a clue how investigations are conducted and how many meticulously dotted "i"s and crossed "t"s are involved; nor do they even bother to follow a case and read about a final arrest and conviction which often takes a few years to come about. Assumptions and general condemnation of "the system" are much simpler.

http://viconsortium.com/featured/man-driving-truck-that-crashed-into-moped-killing-two-people-charged-with-double-vehicular-homicide-dui-and-negligent-driving/

sad for all parties involved.

It is so very sad. I drive past the spot on the highway every day on the way home and think about what happened there, every time I pass. I also feel so bad for the families of these two people.

The young lady's funeral date has been set for May 21st so if anybody would like to leave a condolence note for the family, they can do so at:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/hannah-peterson-obituary?pid=1000000179990741

Thanks OT.

Another scooter death - this time on St John when a young local couple were apparently hit in the vicinity of the gas station. The young female passenger succumbed to her injuries.

I've totally changed my views on scooters in the VI over the past year as a result of some of these horrible deaths.

I rode motorcycles all my life without incident when I lived in the mainland, a few close calls but never an accident. Wouldn't ride one here though. Thought about it but the wife squashed that one.

Smart wife. Sometimes dying isn't the worst that can happen.

Smart wife. Sometimes dying isn't the worst that can happen.

I shattered my knee last year... cant walk with out pain now.

Still ride 😉

Wife never said I was smart.

You got off lucky.

5 bad accidents in a relatively short time period. how many in all the years before that?

Not that many, right. still pretty safe. How many bad auto accidents during that same time period? people still drive cars

One is way more vulnerable to serious injuries and death on a motorcycle or scooter.

5 bad accidents in a relatively short time period. how many in all the years before that?

Not that many, right. still pretty safe. How many bad auto accidents during that same time period? people still drive cars

Talk to any EMT or ER medical practitioner to understand the sheer numbers over many years. It will stagger you in comparison to the numbers of those involved in auto accidents. The only time any of these accidents are reported is when serious injury or death results. To fluff off scooter-riding as "still pretty safe" is a comment rooted in lack of knowledge.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motorcycle_deaths_in_U.S._by_year

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motor_vehicle_deaths_in_U.S._by_year

according to these lists. there are less deaths by motocycles

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motorcycle_deaths_in_U.S._by_year

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motor_vehicle_deaths_in_U.S._by_year

according to these lists. there are less deaths by motocycles

Probably due to the fact there are less motorcycles then there are cars. Thus, it stands to reason there are fewer deaths on motorcycles than in cars.

What you really need to compare is the percentage of motorcycle riders who die in motorcycle accidents vs. the percentage of car/truck drivers/passengers who die in car accidents. You'll get very different numbers. I dare say, the percentage will be higher for motorcycle riders.

But going back to my original question. How many fatalities involving cars . Even going back 5 years just here.

How many car fatalities vs how many motorcycle/scooter fatalities

The link doesn't compute but if you google "auto accidents usvi" this link will pop up and every little piece of information is right there - island by island and cumulative, autos, motorcycles, etc.
United States Virgin Islands Highway Safety Plan Fiscal

But going back to my original question. How many fatalities involving cars . Even going back 5 years just here.

How many car fatalities vs how many motorcycle/scooter fatalities

Maybe this will help answer your question (from Wikipedi - Link to complete article below):

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2006, 13.10 cars out of 100,000 ended up in fatal crashes. The rate for motorcycles is 72.34 per 100,000 registered motorcycles.[1] Motorcycles also have a higher fatality rate per unit of distance travelled when compared with automobiles. Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists' risk of a fatal crash is 35 times greater than a passenger car.[1] In 2004, figures from the UK Department for Transport indicated that motorcycles have 16 times the rate of serious injuries compared to cars.[2]

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_safety

Almost as dangerous to be a pedestrian. 2012 was the only year listed I saw that was a real high rate. For motorcycle crashes

General statistics can give a basic overview but the actual figures for our territory as tabulated in the Highway Safety Plan document are what are relevant. You can look at nationwide auto fatality per capita statistics to get an average but when you look at the territory statistics they're way below the national average. Interestingly although not unexpectedly given that STX has an actual highway, higher on that island than on STT/STJ where the terrain doesn't lend itself to putting the pedal to the metal!

Scooter and motorcycle rental businesses shouldn't be allowed to operate on STT/STJ in my opinion. They're lightweight, aren't built for quick maneuverability, and certainly aren't built to sustain a rear-ender without completely falling apart. You can barely see them from the driving perch of an SUV or truck and when driving on our "normal" roads with no sidewalks, shoulders or visibility around the blind corners, you're right on top of them before you have even a small chance to react. If residents want to take the risk then they should be allowed as now to do so but the mere fact of renting them out to visitors conveys to them the impression that tootling around here sightseeing on a moped is just like tootling around somewhere like Bermuda or Florida.

Another scooter death - this time on St John when a young local couple were apparently hit in the vicinity of the gas station. The young female passenger succumbed to her injuries.

And I saw that a visitor was charged with vehicular manslaughter. Very tragic.

That famous guy Mr. Gump says " Stupid is as stupid does" is my recommendation on scooter rental here on STT where life really is a box of chocolates.

Scooter and motorcycle rental businesses shouldn't be allowed to operate on STT/STJ in my opinion. .

so you're of the opinion that people are stupid and need to be protected from themselves by other people with guns?

You cant legislate away stupid... let them ride, I'm more concerned with the "this shouldn't be allowed" type of attitude than people being adults and making their own decisions.