Motorcycle Awareness Month – May 2016
The Department of Transportation is launching a “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign for Motorcycle Awareness Month.
As Distracted Driving Awareness month comes to a close, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) continues to do all they can to keep motorists safe on Texas roadways by launching a month-long awareness campaign titled Motorcycle Awareness Month. The month of May will be dedicated toward educating drivers on how to operate their vehicle when a motorcyclist is nearby.
Motorcyclists are at a higher risk for accidents.
The driver of a motorcycle is five times more likely to experience an accident, and 26 times more likely to be killed, than the driver of a car or truck. On average, at least one motorcyclist dies in an accident in Texas every single day. In 2015, 455 motorcycle drivers lost their lives while on the road, and an additional 1,867 individuals suffered serious injuries due to a motorcycle accident.
“Motorcycles can be difficult to see, so it’s important for drivers to look twice, especially before turning at intersections or changing lanes,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass.
Unfortunately, motorcyclists have fewer protections on the road due to the vehicle itself. A motorcycle does not offer safety belts, airbags, or a surrounding structure to keep the operator safe—a luxury that car and truck drivers do have. Therefore, even the slightest impact can eject the motorcyclist, causing either serious injuries or death.
Safe driving tips.
In many motorcycle-related crashes, the driver who struck the motorcyclist often claims that they did not see the motorcycle or they believed the motorcycle rider was further away.
Since a motorcycle is much smaller than the average vehicle, it is quite possible to misjudge where they are on the road, but this is NOT an excuse! It is the responsibility of every driver to avoid causing an accident, and drivers must understand that motorcyclists are to be treated with the same amount of care (if not more) when sharing the road. ALL drivers need to remember to:
- Check twice for motorcycles, especially at an intersection.
- Always turn to check your blind spot and use your indicator before changing lanes.
- Check all your mirrors before attempting any lane change or turn.
- Do not follow motorcycles too closely.
- Always assume the motorcyclist is closer than they appear.
With these simple tips, we can help decrease the number motorcycle accidents and keep more riders safe this year.
Category: In The News
