CHARLOTTE, N.C. (MAY 16, 2017) – May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and AAA Carolinas is urging both motorcyclists and motorists to share the road to ensure everyone’s safety. Motorists should be extra alert when driving to help keep motorcyclists safe, and motorcyclists are reminded to make themselves visible to other motorists in case other drivers are not looking out for motorcycle riders.
“With summer weather in full swing, more and more motorcyclists are hitting the open road,” said AAA Carolinas President and CEO Dave Parsons. “AAA Carolinas stresses how important it is that both motorists and motorcyclists stay alert and share the road.”
The National Highway Safety Administration reports that in 2015, 4,976 people died in motorcycle crashes, an increase of 8.3 percent in 2014 and 14 percent of all traffic fatalities. In 2015, motorcyclists were 29 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled, and almost five times more likely to be injured.
Currently, helmets are the only safety measure proven to save motorcyclists lives. Motorcycle helmets are highly effective in protecting motorcycle riders’ heads in a crash. The latest research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that helmets reduce motorcycle rider fatalities by 22 to 32 percent and brain injuries by 41 to 69 percent. State universal motorcycle helmet-use laws are effective at increasing helmet use.
Motorcycle helmets saved 1,630 lives in 2013, according to NHTSA. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, 715 more lives would have been saved, analysts concluded.
Bikers can prevent crashes and injuries by:
- Keeping headlights and marker and taillights on at dusk and in dark or rainy weather
- Staying three to four seconds behind a vehicle they intend to pass, checking oncoming traffic from the left side of the lane, signaling the intention to turn, and then checking for oncoming traffic before passing.
- Checking their rearview mirror and quickly turn their head to ensure the vehicle is a safe distance behind them when completing a pass.
- Wearing helmets that meet a high protection standard.
- Wearing proper clothing, eyewear and sturdy, closed-toe footwear.
Motorists can help to make the roads safer for motorcyclists by taking some simple precautions:
- Be extra cautious on weekends, when more motorcyclists take to the road.
- Provide motorcyclists adequate room to maneuver. Follow at least three to four seconds behind them.
- Allow extra maneuvering room in areas with potholes, pavement transitions and railroad crossings. Motorcyclists may need to slow down, stop or adjust their lane position.
- Never try to share a lane with a motorcycle. Motorcycles have the same right to lanes as any other vehicle.
- If a motorcycle is nearby, check your mirrors carefully before changing lanes. Motorcycles may be in your blind spots or difficult to see because of their smaller size.
AAA Carolinas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 2 million members and the public with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.
Connect with AAA Carolinas on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AAAcarolinas and follow us on Twitter at @AAAcarolinas.
AAA Carolinas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 2 million members and the public with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.