WV GHSP Reminds Drivers and Riders That Motorcyclist’s Safety Is Everyone’s Safety
5/6/2024
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May marks the beginning of riding season for many motorcyclists in West Virginia and beyond. It is also Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remind all motorists that Motorcyclist’s Safety Is Everyone’s Safety. Motorcycle safety is an ongoing responsibility for all road users. By consistently following safe driving and riding practices and sharing them with others, all motorists can help reduce the number of motorcyclist fatalities on West Virginia’s roads. Each year motorcyclists are overrepresented in traffic crashes. Two leading contributors to this reality are speeding and alcohol impairment. In West Virginia in 2021 there were a total of 27 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes; 12 of those were not wearing a helmet. According to NHTSA data, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2022, which represents 15% of total highway fatalities for that year and a 1% increase from 2021 (6,143). Per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists were about 22 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and 4 times more likely to be injured. Drivers need to understand that a motorcycle rider has different safety challenges on the roadway because of the motorcycle’s size, visibility, and riding practices like downshifting and weaving to be able to anticipate and respond to motorcyclists’ behavior. Motorcycles are among the most vulnerable vehicles on the road, putting riders at greater risk of death and serious injury in a crash. “Due to a motorcycle’s smaller profile, it’s easy to misjudge their speed and distance from a vehicle,” said Jack McNeely, GHSP Director. “Intersections are especially dangerous for motorcycles. Watch for turning motorcycles before you turn.” Safety on the roadways requires that everyone do their part. While driving, please follow these tips to keep motorcyclists safe: - Allow adequate following distance
- Always check your blind spots
- Be cautious when passing
- Do not high beam motorcycles at night
- Do not tailgate a motorcycle
- Help keep riders safe in the dark by increasing your following distance and refrain from passing
- Inform motorcyclists of your intention to turn
- Motorcycles cannot stop as quickly as a car
- Remember that motorcycles react more quickly than cars
- Stay in your lane
- Take a second look at left turns and intersections
- Weather warning – bad weather can reduce your visibility
Motorcyclists need to take precautions as well, so they are as safe as possible. One of the primary contributing factors to motorcyclist fatalities is speeding. Thirty-five percent of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to 22% of all passenger car drivers, 15% of all light-truck drivers, and 6% of all large-truck drivers. Motorcycle riders 21 to 24 years old involved in fatal crashes had the highest speeding involvement at 51%. “First of all, the best advice I can give motorcyclists, whether new or experienced, would be to take a safety course,” said Donnie Hale, GHSP Motorcycle Safety Coordinator. “Some people think that if they rode a dirt bike or bicycle as a kid, they can ride a motorcycle. Operating a motorcycle requires a great deal of knowledge, skill, and practice,” Hale continued. Mary Jarrell, Motorcycle Safety Training Coordinator shared the following tips to help motorcyclists be safe on our roads: - Take a safety course
- Ride sober
- Get to know your motorcycle
- Wear proper motorcycle gear – a DOT-approved helmet is a must
- Inspect your motorcycle before each ride
- Obey traffic laws, use signals, and obey the speed limit
- Check the weather before leaving
- Be visible
- Be observant and watch for road hazards
- Stay a safe distance behind other vehicles
Jarrell added that grass clippings left on roadways can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists because the clippings can reduce the traction a motorcycle’s tires have on the road surface. To learn more about motorcycle safety, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycle-safety. For more information about the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, visit www.highwaysafety.wv.gov or call 304-926-2509.
Contact:
WVDOTCommunications@wv.gov