Police Urge Motorcycle Safety

New Hampshire State Police are warning motorcyclists to slow down and drive with caution following a series of crashes across the state since the weather warmed up.

According to a story on WMUR, in 2012, at least 24 people died in motorcycle crashes, and with the arrival of spring weather, motorcyclists are returning to the roadways.

Lt. Gregory Ferry, of the New Hampshire State Police, said speed and being back on the road for the first time in months "can spell danger for motorcycle riders."

Last month, Nashua resident Alan Monas Jr., 26, died when he lost control of his motorcycle on the Exit 4 northbound off-ramp on I-293 in Manchester. Just minutes before the accident Monas was cited in Merrimack for driving 86 mph on the F.E. Everett Turnpike. Police have not said what caused Monas to lose control. Police told Nashua Patch on Monday morning that Monas was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

In another incident last month, a Nashua man was charged with driving while intoxicated when his motorcycle struck another vehicle in Hudson, according to Nashua Patch. Alexander Pelkey was taken to Southern New Hampshire Regional Medical Center to be evaluated for injuries following the accident. Police say he was not wearing a helmet.

On the Seacoast last month, a Newmarket man suffered a serious head injury when, for unknown reasons at this time, his motorcycle toppled on him as he was exiting his driveway on Wadleigh Falls Road.

Michael Kashian, 30, was not wearing a helmet and sustained a serious head injury when he struck the asphalt, Newmarket Police told the Portsmouth Herald. He was pinned under the 517-pound motorcycle in the middle of the road, police say.

Last year, Michael Lo Verme, 24, a young Merrimack father, was killed over Father's Day weekend when his bike collided with multiple vehicles as he was entering the Everett Turnpike in Nashua. And at the start of Labor Day weekend Ronald Flora, 57, of Hudson, was killed when his motorcycle collided with another vehicle on Baboosic Lake Road, right in front of the police station.

Each season, the state offers classes for riders who want to practice their skills, according to the WMUR story. About 3,000 students take advantage of the classes each year. Anyone interested in taking the class can call the Motorcycle Rider Training Office at 603-227-4025.