On behalf of the citizens of Georgia, Governor Sonny Perdue is proclaiming May 2007 as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month” to remind motorists to “Share the Road” with motorcycles as they make their seasonal return to ’s highways. The warmer weather brings the riders back to highways and motorcycles are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed during a quick glance due to their smaller size. Visibility becomes a key issue.
“Thousands of citizens enjoy riding motorcycles, said Director Bob Dallas of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. “So we encourage all drivers to be cautious and observe these smaller vehicles as they return to ’s roads this spring. In fact, most motorcycle crashes occur during daylight hours.”
The awareness campaign is jointly promoted by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) and ABATE of Georgia (American Bikers Active Toward Education). With the participation of other state agencies, traffic safety organizations, law enforcement departments and rider groups, the objective of the Motorcycle Safety Awareness campaign is to reduce the number of motorcycle crashes, injuries and fatalities on our roadways.
“All these groups are concerned with creating a safer riding environment because during recent years, has experienced a steady increase in fatal motorcycle crashes,” says GOHS Director Bob Dallas. In 2005 alone, 144 motorcyclists died on roads. Another 2,795 were injured.
“So the target audience of our awareness campaign includes both vehicle drivers and motorcycle operators,” says GOHS Director Dallas. “Our principle concerns are to increase driver recognition of motorcyclists in traffic, while at the same time encouraging motorcyclists to engage in the overall safe operation of their motorcycles.” The number of crashes in 2005 totaled 4,034.
Motorists are encouraged to always be aware of motorcycles; especially at intersections, when performing lane changes, or while passing other vehicles. “Motorists need to be especially alert when making a left turn to insure that a motorcycle is not coming straight through the intersection,” says Director Dallas.
Highway safety officials and motorcyclists ask that all highway users get in the habit of looking for motorcycles as they drive, not just during the safety awareness month, but throughout the entire year. Motorists also need to share the road, remembering that a motorcycle is entitled to a full lane. Keeping a safe distance from the motorcycle allows the motorcycle operator the opportunity to maneuver the motorcycle to avoid road hazards or other dangerous traffic conditions.
Over two-thirds of car-motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers of other motor vehicles, not by motorcyclists. The other driver either does not see the oncoming motorcyclist at all, or does not see the motorcyclist in time to avoid a crash.
So motorcyclists should always operate in a defensive mode, within the rules of the road, and be constantly prepared to take evasive action if necessary. Riders should remember they have an equal share of safety responsibility on the road and that includes being attired with proper protective riding apparel, including a DOT-rated motorcycle safety helmet.
Operators are encouraged to enroll in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation training offered through the Georgia Department of Driver Services. It’s important both legally and for safety purposes that every rider has a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license and that motorcycles are properly licensed.
Motorcyclists must keep in mind that weather conditions, road surfaces and fatigue pose greater problems to them than to other motorists. Motorcycles should be kept in good operating condition using safety and maintenance checks found in the owner’s manual.
“And it just make sense that motorcycle operators should keep themselves alert and in optimum highway condition as well,“ says GOHS Director Dallas. “That’s why motorcyclists should avoid the use of alcoholic beverages before and during the operation of the motorcycle. There’s an abnormally high occurrence of crashes, death and injury among motorcyclists when alcohol or drugs are added to the equation.”
To receive free brochures about “What You Need to Know About Motorcycle Safety” visit the GOHS website at www.gahighwaysafety.org. For more information about ’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program and how to help drivers and riders be more aware of each other while traveling in , contact GOHS Program Planner Fred Huff at 404-656-6996.
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