Deadly Weekend for Motorcyclists is Warning for Car Drivers

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – This weekend was dangerous on our roadways.

Three motorcycle deaths took place within a two hour drive of Chattanooga.

All three crashes involved collisions with cars and have us asking…how can us as car drivers make the roads safer for everyone?

"The respect for motorcycles still has not reached the level it should," said Captain Charles Lowery with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office who is in charge of motorcycle instruction for the department and is also an avid rider.

There is a rush to blame the motorcyclist in crashes, but Lowery says much of the time, the driver of the car is at fault.

"People are not paying attention and that’s all it really breaks down to is being aware of your surroundings," said Lowery. "Motorcycles are going to be there and when you don’t pay attention to that, you’re going to end up pulling in front of a motorcycle."

And a local Harley Davidson sales manager agrees.

"But if literally I could tell you the people that I watch drive down the road play with computers, cell phones, put makeup on, fixing their shirts, eating their lunches, doing everything else but driving," said Andy Pavona who is the general sale manager at Thunder Creek Harley Davidson in Ooltewah. "These cars have become so easy. They have navigation that talks to them. Noone is paying attention to driving anymore. Motorcyclists don’t just appear. We’re not magical. Bikers don’t just appear out of the blink of an eye."

Andy Davis was killed Friday night near Atlanta when a drunk driver struck his motorcycle.

Also Friday night, Ronnie Pennick Jr. was killed on 25th street in Cleveland when a woman struck his car.

And just Sunday night on Mission Ridge Road in Rossville, a 29-year-old father who just bought a Harley was killed when a woman turned her car into his path.

The message is the same to those who share the road with motorcyclists.

"The motorcycle safety foundation along with other motorcycle organizations as well as the state is saying look twice for a motorcycle."

"Pay attention," said Sergeant Chris Debord who was the reporting officer with the Georgia State Patrol to the fatal crash in Rossville. "Look. Look good. Don’t just glance. Look."

All crashes are still under investigation and News 12 will keep you updated as information is released.