June 18, 2000

A dark road combined with a sharp turn cost a West Jordan couple on a motorcycle their lives last night. Police say the driver lost control when he tried to make the turn.

The accident reinforces just how vulnerable riders can be. It also reinforces the need for proper training and education.

News Specialist Jill Atwood explains.

A dangerous stretch of the Old Bingham Highway, appropriately named "Dead Man's Curve," claims two more victims.

Police say a West Jordan man, with his wife riding on back, apparently was going way too fast to make the turn.

The motorcycle lay in a heap in the field, two people gone in a blink of an eye.

Tired of scenes like that, police officers like John Lefavor teach motorcycle safety on the side.

Mark Schaerrer/Training Coord., Motorcycle Safety Program: "WE TEACH THEM HOW TO SWERVE OR COUNTER-STEER IN ORDER TO AVOID AN OBSTACLE, AND THEN TAKE OTHER EVASIVE MANUEVERS IF NECESSARY."

This is Salt Lake Community College's Motorcycle Education Program. Eighteen hours of classroom, combined with practical road tests sharpens skills, and makes these drivers more street smart.

Colleen Curtis/Class Graduate: "I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I COULD PASS THE DRIVING TEST FIRST OF ALL. SECOND, I'VE NEVER BEEN ON A BIKE BEFORE. SO IF WAS GOING TO DUMP A BIKE, I WANTED TO DO IT HERE."

George Wilkinson has been riding for years, but says a refresher course never hurts. In fact...

"I LEARNED HOW TO TURN BETTER, BRAKE BETTER, AND I JUST FEEL MORE CONFIDENT."

"ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WERE SELF-TAUGHT OR TAUGHT BY A FRIEND, WHICH MEANS THEY DIDN'T GET THE RIGHT INFORMATION OR SOMEONE TAUGHT THEM INCORRECTLY."

The class is a state-run program, so the Driver's License Division will accept the completion card from this class as your road test when you go to get your motorcycle license.

Salt Lake Community College offers it February through October. It also offers an advanced course.