NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Despite many safety warnings from authorities and instructors, motorcycle accidents and fatalities continue to increase across the Mid-State.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has displayed numerous safety messages and a fatality count during the month of May for Motorcycle Awareness Month.
As of Friday, there had been 44 motorcycle fatalities in Tennessee this year, not including deaths over the holiday weekend.
Most recently, a Clarksville man was killed over Memorial Day weekend after crashing his motorcycle.
Buddy Burnett, a motorcycle training instructor in Nashville, told News 2 many drivers who are injured do not have the proper training.
"A lot of stuff that's happened here recently has been purely rider error. I think its people that just don't know how to ride," said Burnett.
Burnett believes along with rider error, motorcycles are too easily accessible.
"Motorcycles are easily available. You can go to Craigslist, the Tennessean, or trade magazines and buy one this afternoon and not spend a lot of money. It's easy to have a bike that will do 150 miles-per-hour," explained Burnett.
The state of Tennessee requires motorcycle riders to wear a helmet.
Motorcycle drivers are also required to have a safety training course stamp on their driver license.
For more information on Motorcycle Rider regulations, visit DMV.org.
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