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2 die in separate accidents at construction site
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In a span of just eight hours, two motorcyclists traveling on Interstate 295 in Bordentown were killed when they crashed near mile marker 57 in a construction zone. According to the Philadelphia Daily News, “Jude Bihari, 52, of Bordentown, and Ronald Ross, 42, of Macungie, in Lehigh County, Pa., were traveling north in the recently milled right lane of Interstate 295 near mile marker 57 in Bordentown when they struck a 2.5-inch asphalt ridge and lost control of their cycles. The ridge had formed between the milled lane and the center lane, and despite a solid line painted between them, both cyclists crossed over, police said.
New Jersey State Police said that Bihari was struck by two vehicles after he lost control of his 1997 Harley Davidson at about 4:11 a.m. at mile marker 57.3. Ross was thrown from his motorcycle at 12:23 p.m. at mile marker 57 and suffered massive head and chest injuries.”
As any biker knows, a 2.5 inch drop can be life threatening and milled pavement causes one to lose traction. According to the NJDOT, orange signs warned of the uneven pavement, as well as the painted solid lines, and they had no plans on erecting special signs warning motorcyclists. The Bordentown portion of I295 has two exits, one of which is over a quarter mile long. NJDOT allegedly did not smooth the transition from the highway to the exits nor from the milled lane to the center lane. Jude Bihari’s family is considering legal action.
As any well-versed motorcyclist should know, a solid white line means stay in your lane, but way too often, at least here in New Jersey, that fact is ignored. The article did not state why either biker crossed into the milled lane; one would have to assume it was to exit.
A presumption of culpability must lie with the NJDOT for not making the exit transitions smooth, as is normally done. A second presumption of culpability must lie, however lightly, on the bikers who either thought they could handle the damaged road or ignored the warning signs.
Motorcyclists have to be vigilant with their safety. It is not up to anyone else. Stay in your lane when solid white lines or double yellow lines are on the road. Stay off milled asphalt whenever possible, especially in inclimate weather. Pay attention to signage and know your route; if there is construction going on, plan another way to get to where you are going. In New Jersey, alternate roads to Interstate 295 include the NJ Turnpike and US highways 206 and 130. I would strongly suggest that until this problem in Bordentown is resolved, stay away.
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