MONTGOMERY – May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) will do its part to remind everyone who uses Alabama roadways to share the road in an effort to prevent motorcycle crashes, injuries and deaths.
“Motorcyclists will be out in force as the weather warms, which is why May is the perfect month to devote to motorcycle safety awareness,” said Col. John E. Richardson, director of ALEA’s Alabama Department of Public Safety. “Fatal crashes with motorcycles is on the rise, and helmet usage is on the decline, particularly when it comes to using helmets that meet the Department of Transportation’s safety standards. We all must be more aware of motorcyclists to save lives.”
In 2013, 4,668 motorcyclists across the nation were killed in traffic crashes. While that total was a decrease from 2012’s 4,986 fatalities, those deaths accounted for 14 percent of the total highway fatalities in 2013 – despite motorcycle registrations representing only 3 percent of all vehicle registrations in 2013 in the nation. Helmet use remained at 60 percent from 2012 to 2013. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is sponsoring the “Share the Road” campaign, estimates 1,630 lives were saved in 2013 because of proper helmet usage. Still, another 715 lives could have been saved if helmets had been used.
“Using a helmet is an important way for a motorcyclist to stay safe, but that’s only part of it. We all play a role in keeping motorcyclists safe. It’s up to all motorists to make the road safer,”Richardson said. “By following road signs, obeying speed limits and always, always staying focused on the task of driving and the road, we could prevent traffic injuries and deaths.”
The Colonel also offered these tips on preventing fatal crashes with motorcycles:
- Allow a motorcycle the full width of a lane at all times. (Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, its operator has all the rights of the road.)
- Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
- If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful: Motorcycle signals often are non-canceling and could have been forgotten. Always ensure the motorcyclist is turning before proceeding.
- Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections.
- Always allow more follow distance – three to four seconds – when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
- Never drive while distracted or impaired.
He also recommended motorcyclists keep these points in mind:
- Use a DOT-certified helmet and other protective gear.
- Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed.
- Use hand and turn signals for every lane change or turn.
- Wear brightly colored clothing and reflective tape to increase visibility.
- Ride in the middle of the lane to ensure you are more visible to drivers.
- Never ride while distracted or impaired.
