May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and the American Motorcyclist Association is urging motorists to be aware of motorcycles on the roads and highways. Motorcycle Awareness Month is not just meant for riders; it’s also about reminding those operating vehicles with four wheels or more. With warmer weather, it’s time to remind everyone to be on the alert and share the road with motorcyclists.
AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said, “Motorcycle Awareness Month is our opportunity to call attention to the safety issues affecting motorcycle road riding, which in turn encourages motorists to stay alert for motorcyclists throughout the rest of the year.”
This month serves as a reminder for drivers to doublecheck their mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes, maintain a safe distance when following motorcycles and pay particular attention when making left turns across traffic. Both motorcyclists and motorists need to be aware of their surroundings.
The National Safety Council offered six tips to help drivers and motorcyclists alike stay safe on the roads:
- Passenger car drivers should allow greater following distance behind a motorcycle.
- Drivers should also must show extra caution in intersections. Most accidents occur when a driver fails to see a motorcyclist and turns left in front of a motorcycle.
- Drivers should never try to share a lane with a motorcycle. Always give a motorcycle the full lane width.
- Motorcyclists should avoid riding in poor weather conditions.
- Motorcyclists should position their motorcycles to avoid a driver’s blind spot.
- Motorcyclists must use turn signals for every turn or lane change.
It’s important for both motorists and motorcyclists to be aware of one another. A common piece of advice for riders is to ride like you’re invisible.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reminds motorcyclists to obtain the proper license to operate a motorcycle and contact your state motor vehicle administration to find a motorcycle rider-training course near you.
More tips to stay safe on the road can be found from our blog post from last year.
For a review of your motorcycle policy to ensure you have the proper limits of protection, call Kate at 724-575-7237.