Following Marion Man's Death, Should More be Done to Prevent Motorcycle-Related Fatalities? Best of 2012

Editor's Note: As the year winds down, Waukee Patch is looking back at some of the stories that made you talk, cry, laugh or just scratch your head.

• By Scott Raynor
• March 30, 2012

Editor's Note: Marion Patch ran this story earlier in the week, and the comments haven't stopped since. As you'll see, though, this isn't just a "Marion" story. It highlights the obvious dangers on roads everywhere.

We thought it'd be a good idea to share it with our other Iowa Patches to raise awareness and, hopefully, use this story as a reminder to be careful out there -- whether you're riding a motorcycle or driving a car or truck.

Here's the original story. We invite you to join in the conversation in the comments box below:

A Marion man's death last week was the seventh motorcycle-related fatality in eight days. 

After 40-year-old Marion resident Matthew Dunkel, who lost his life while riding his motorcycle on Saturday, the Gazette has pointed out that since March 16 seven Iowans have lost their life in crashes involving motorcycles or mopeds.

Moreover, four have taken place since last Friday.

The Gazette spoke with Iowa State Patrol Trooper Bob Conrad, who said that the rash of accidents is likely due to the warming weather. 

In fact, because warm weather came so early compared to last year, the Gazette points out that it’s possible that Iowa could break 2011’s record of 35 motorcycle accident related deaths.

“There are people out there that aren’t going to have their family members this coming Christmas because of those crashes and we don’t want any more of that,” Conrad said to The Gazette.

Thirty-five may not sound like a lot, but it feels like a lot  to me after speaking with Dunkel’s grieving friends and coworkers.

Given the rash of motorcycle fatalities in the last 12 days alone, do you think something should be done to curb these deaths?