Thirty-four people have died in motorcycle accidents this year on Wisconsin roads. Compare that with only 15 deaths at this time last year.
The Department of Transportation says they can't find a common denominator between the accidents. The numbers could get even worse, because the busy season for bikers is just getting revved up.
In years past, alcohol and speed have been the primary factors, but that's not the case this year.
Two members of the Wausau Police Department who also ride motorcycles have their own theories as to what’s driving the carnage.
Lt. Dennis Saager and Officer Mark Klein both say the higher number of deer at the side of the roads and the high number of new and inexperienced bikers could be leading the death toll.
The men say both motorcyclists and the average motorist need to pay special attention to each other on the road, because a biker is so vulnerable to injury during an accident.
