Motorcycle deaths surpass record high

OGDEN (AP) — More motorcycle riders than ever have died in Utah in 2008.

Motorcycle deaths hit a record low in 1997, but the number of deaths has reached record highs both nationally and in Utah since then.

As this year draws to a close, 32 riders have already died. That's nine more than the average of 23 deaths a year over the past decade.

Motorcycle rider and state Rep. Mel Brown, R-Coalville, says more bikes are on the road — probably because of rising gas prices — and so the chances for accidents go up, too.

Troy Roper, who gotsuffered a traumatic brain injury after a 2005 motorcycle crash, says he thinks bikes are getting faster and riders are getting less training before they hit the road.