As Oregonians, we are all delighted with warm weather in the spring and try to take advantage of the sunshine. The warm weather and the increase in motorcycle and car traffic go hand in hand at this time of year. Unfortunately, there is also a direct correlation in the increase of traffic and the increase in traffic accidents.
With that in mind, in 2015, Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared May to be Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re on four wheels or two; we all have to do our part to share the road safely,” said Michele O’Leary, ODOT’s Motorcycle Safety Program manager. “One simple thing motorcyclists can do to improve their safety is wear high visibility gear so they can be seen by other road users.”
Drivers
- 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.
- Because of a motorcycle’s small size, it may be difficult to predict how fast it is going. Allow extra time before turning or pulling in front of a motorcyclist.
- Look once, look twice, and then look again. They may be closer than you think.
- Motorcyclists: Always wear a helmet and highly visible, protective clothing.
- Allow time and space to react to other motorists or changing road conditions.
- Don’t speed.
- Motorcycle rider training and education save lives. TEAM OREGON offers classes for beginner to advanced riders.
For more about ODOT’s Motorcycle Safety Program, visit https://team-oregon.org/