Share the road – watch out for motorcyclists
May is Motorcyclist Safety Awareness Month
In 2017, 5,172 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roadways.
It’s a sobering statistic, one that should make drivers stop and think for a moment about the two-wheeled friends with whom they share the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that motorcyclists are about 28 times as likely as passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash. In fact, May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, timed to coincide with the start of motorcycle riding weather across most of the country.
Here in Yuma, for many motorcyclists, the summer heat is an indicator that it’s time to put the bike away for the summer, as it can be especially scorching out there in July and August. But for true motorcycle enthusiasts, hot weather isn’t a factor — they ride all year long, and every driver and motorcyclist plays a role in sharing the road. There are a few tips that everyone can incorporate into their daily driving habits to help keep motorcyclists safe. Check blind spots closely before changing lanes or passing. And use turn signals to let other drivers and riders know your intentions.
And for all drivers — please, no distracted driving. We can’t imagine the logistics of checking a cell phone while riding a motorcycle, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. Regardless of your mode of transportation, put that cell phone down. It’s illegal in Yuma, and Arizona just passed its own law on the subject.
The NHTSA brings up a good point. Riding a motorcycle requires a different set of skills than driving a car. It’s a good idea to take a motorcycle safety course to make sure you know all the rules and safety information.
And if you don’t have a motorcycle endorsement from the DMV, don’t try to ride. It sounds like a common sense idea, but the NHTSA reports that of all the motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2017, 29% were riding without valid motorcycle licenses. That’s surprising.
For both drivers and riders, let’s make sure everyone gets to their destinations safely. Carefully share the road, and watch out for motorcyclists.
DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS OR NOT?