State Patrol Motorcycle Crackdown

State Patrol Plans Motorcycle Crackdown By: KIROTV.com "EVERETT, Wash. -- The State Patrol plans to crack down on aggressive motorcyclists by using its aircraft and new infrared cameras to find riders speeding and riding erratically in Snohomish County. The Herald of Snohomish County reported the State Patrol has investigated six fatal motorcycle crashes this year in Snohomish, Island, Whatcom and Skagit counties. Nearly 40 motorcyclists have died statewide this year. The State Patrol said the crashes are happening on dry roads in good weather conditions and don't involve any other vehicles. Troopers said many young people driving sports motorcycles are dying in crashes, but they've also seen an increase in fatal accidents involving middle-aged riders. Pamela B. Farrell, 58, was driving her motorcycle alongside her husband Monday when she crashed down an embankment on U.S. 2 west of the Stevens Pass Summit. She died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Troopers are investigating the cause of the crash. On June 27, KIRO-TV reported a 23-year-old motorcyclist died while racing another motorcyclist northbound on I-5 near Marysville at speeds of 85 to more than 130 miles per hour. He slammed into the back of an SUV and died at the scene."