National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month Wraps Up with “Share the Road” Campaign

The month of May has been National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is wrapping up a month-long campaign to increase rider safety and enhance motorist awareness of and cooperation with motorcycles on the road. According to the NHTSA, motorcycle fatalities have been increasing in 14 out of the last 15 years and reached nearly 5,000 in 2012. Although motorcycles account for only about 3% of registered vehicles, they make up a grossly disproportionate 15% of all highway traffic deaths.

Although Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is nearly concluded, you can still download materials from the NHTSA website, including talking points and a sample letter to the editor cautioning motorists to be aware of motorcyclists and respectful of their rights to share the road with other motor vehicles. Drivers are urged in addition to signal all lane changes and turns, and to check mirrors and blind spots before executing those maneuvers. Motorcycle riders for their part are reminded to drive safely in accordance with traffic laws, to wear a DOT-compliant helmet, and to increase their visibility on the road with reflective gear and clothing. Drivers and riders alike are admonished not to engage in distracted driving or to operate their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Hopefully, increased public awareness and attention will lead to a decrease in the frequency of motorcycle and motor vehicle collisions, and the incidence of serious personal injury or wrongful death which often results.