Greenville Police Department Promotes Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Greenville Police Department Promotes “Sharing the Road” During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

May Proclaimed Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

GREENVILLE, OHIO – Motorcyclist fatalities nationwide increased slightly in 2010 to 4,502, accounting for 14 percent of total fatalities for the year. This increase in motorcycle fatalities for the year resumes the unfortunate overall increasing trend over the last 13 years, an upward trend that saw only a single one-year decline in 2009, when 4,462 motorcyclists were killed. However, the greatest decrease in the estimated number of injured people is among motorcyclists, with an 8.9-percent decrease.

In response to this increase, the Greenville Police Department announced today that they are joining with other federal, state and local highway safety, law enforcement, and motorcycle organizations in proclaiming May 2012 as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.” During this time – and during the rest of the year – motorists and other road users are reminded to safely “Share the Road” with motorcyclists, and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe. Changing the driving habits of motorists and motorcyclists alike will help decrease the number of motorcyclists killed and injured in crashes. Motorcyclists are reminded to make sure that they are visible to motorists, and that they follow the rules of the road. All road users are reminded to never drive, ride, walk or bicycle while distracted.

“As the weather improves, more and more motorcyclists are hitting the roads,” said Chief of Police, Dennis L. Butts. “With that in mind, pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers of all vehicles need to be extra attentive and make sure they ‘Share the Road.’ A motorcycle is one of the smallest vehicles on our roads, often hidden in a car or truck’s blind spot. Every driver needs to aggressively look for them before changing lanes or merging with traffic.”

Motorists and bicyclists should perform visual checks for motorcyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before they enter or exit a lane of traffic, and at intersections. Pedestrians should also get into the habit of scanning for motorcyclists who might be hidden by other traffic.

Chief Butts reminds all road users that, “Motorcyclist have responsibilities, too. They should obey traffic rules, be alert to other drivers, never ride while impaired or distracted, and always wear a Department of Transportation-compliant helmet and other protective gear.”

Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle occupants in the event of a crash. Research from DOT’s National Highway Safety Administration shows that per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 39 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in traffic crashes.

Chief Butts offered several tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways:

• Remember, a motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle on the roadway. Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width—never try to share a lane;
• Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic, and at intersections;
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic;
• Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a mo¬torcycle – motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed;
• Allow more following distance – three or four sec¬onds – when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emer¬gency. And don’t tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars; and
• Never drive while intoxicated or distracted.

Motorcyclists can increase their safety by:

• Avoiding riding in poor weather conditions;
• Wearing brightly colored protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet;
• Using turn signals for every turn or lane change, even if the rider thinks no one will see it;
• Using reflective tape and stickers to increase visibility;
• Positioning themselves in the lane where they will be most visible to other drivers; and
• Never driving while impaired.

Our message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: Help to share in the responsibility of keeping all road users safe, and do your part by safely “Sharing the Road”.