Gov. Perdue Proclaims May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Spring means warm weather and the seasonal return of motorcycles on North Carolina's highways. Gov. Bev Perdue has proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind both motorcyclists and other drivers of the importance of motorcycle safety and sharing the road.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Spring means warm weather and the seasonal return of motorcycles on North Carolina’s highways. Gov. Bev Perdue has proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind both motorcyclists and other drivers of the importance of motorcycle safety and sharing the road.
“Educating bikers and other drivers about the importance of motorcycle safety and being alert to their surroundings is key to making our state a safer place to travel,” said Perdue.
According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, North Carolina had 142 motorcycle rider fatalities in 2008, down from 192 in 2007. Motorcycles represent nearly 2 percent of all registered vehicles in North Carolina but account for nearly 12 percent of all traffic fatalities.
The Governor’s Highway Safety Program offers the following tips to motorcyclists and other drivers.
Motorcyclists:
· Always wear a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard ( FMVSS ) 218 helmet. It is the law in North Carolina. A motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet is five times more likely to sustain a critical head injury than a helmeted rider.
· Be visible at all times. This includes wearing bright or reflective clothing.
Other drivers:
· Share the road. Motorcyclists have the right to a full lane.
· Stay alert. Be aware that motorcycles can be easily hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot; take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic when changing lanes.
· Keep a safe distance. Allow more following distance behind motorcycles.
· Be cautious. Be aware that turn signals on a motorcycle are not self-cancelling; riders sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change.
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