Twenty-Six Motorcyclists Killed on Minnesota Roads This Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The year so far has been a deadly one for motorcycle riders in Minnesota.

The state Department of Public Safety says 26 motorcyclists have been killed on Minnesota roadways this year. Last year at this time, 18 riders were killed.

Five motorcyclists have died in July alone, including three on the Fourth of July.

Century College motorcycle training coordinator Greg Pierce says most accidents are the result of speed and lack of training. Nearly half of the riders killed this year were over 50. Pierce says many in that age group have never had formal training.

State motorcycle safety specialist Bill Shaffer says a national study shows a rider's survival rate in a crash jumps by nearly 40 percent if he or she is wearing a helmet.