Motorcyclist slams into black bear on B.C. highway
Driver accelerates from 0 km/h to 140 km/h in less than 20 seconds
A speeding motorcyclist's collision with a young black bear on a B.C. highway has been captured by a video camera mounted on the driver's helmet.
The accident happened on Highway 7 in B.C.'s Fraser Valley on June 30.
In the video, the driver is focused on his speedometer, which shows him accelerating from 0 km/h to 140 km/h in less than 20 seconds. At the same time, a passing train scares a young black bear, causing it to run across the highway directly in front of the motorcycle.
The driver collides with the bear and is thrown from the motorcycle. Police said he suffered significant, but non-life threatening injuries.
The bear simply walked away from the accident.
Police said the driver was handed a $138 ticket for speeding, but not otherwise charged.
RCMP released the video to illustrate why drivers should obey speed limits and pay attention to the road.
"This is a perfect example. The video clearly shows nobody else on the road, and a nice clear dry day. Who would expect a bear to run across the road?" said RCMP Cpl. Robert McDonald in a statement.
"While motorists don't often need to avoid bears, every day drivers may need to react to events such as dogs running out suddenly in front of their vehicle, or a cyclist swerving to avoid something, or even a child running out of a driveway."