The last days of the season: three crashes with a motorcycle and mopeds

On 22 and 24 October the police reported three incidents with motorcyclists and moped riders. In two of them a moped hit another vehicle. In the third a woman on a motorcycle hit a pedestrian in Tallinn. Nobody was killed, but five people were taken to hospital.

22 October, Thursday

In the morning in Rapla, at the crossing of Tammemäe and Keskkooli streets, a 14-year-old girl on an electric scooter rode into a Beta moped that was on the main road. A 15-year-old was riding the moped. Both were taken to hospital.

24 October, Saturday

Around noon in Lääne County, at kilometre 17 of the Risti–Virtsu–Kuivastu–Kuressaare road in Lääne-Nigula parish, a 46-year-old man on a Romet Motors moped was overtaking a Škoda Kodiaq driven by a 35-year-old woman. The police say the moped rider turned sharply in front of the car and they collided. The moped rider was taken to hospital.

The same day, at 16:47, in Tallinn at the crossing of Merivälja tee and Mähe tee, a 47-year-old woman on a Honda CMX500A hit a 63-year-old man. He was crossing on a light-controlled pedestrian crossing. The pedestrian and the motorcycle passenger, a 53-year-old man, were taken to hospital. The report does not say what happened to the rider herself, or what colour the light was.

Late in the season: what to remember

Anyone still riding has a harder time than in summer. Cold tyres take a long time to warm up and grip poorly, so the first kilometres are better taken calmly, without sharp leans or hard braking. Wet leaves are almost as slippery as ice, especially in bends, on road markings and on manhole covers. It gets dark early: a pedestrian in dark clothes on a crossing is seen at the last moment, and car drivers see you less well. Slow down before crossings, switch the lights on, and wear something bright or reflective.