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National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

May 04, 2018 • by American Trauma Society
Motorcycle Safety

Mechanicsburg, Pa. – Spring weather has finally arrived, which means more motorcycles will begin to spring up on the roadways.

May is National Motorcycle Awareness Month, an initiative aimed at working to get motorists and motorcyclists to “Share the Road” with each other.

According to the National Safety Council Injury Facts, in 2015, 4,976 motorcycle riders and passengers died in crashes, and nonfatal injuries that year totaled 88,000.

Tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on the roadways:

• Always check mirrors and blind spots for motorcyclists before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.

• Allow adequate following distance, three or four seconds, when behind a motorcycle. Do not tailgate.

• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic.

• Remember motorcycles are vehicles with all rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle.

Tips for motorcyclists to keep safe on the roadways:

• Wear brightly colored protective gear and DOT- compliant helmet.

• Use turn signals for every turn or lane change.

• Avoid riding in poor weather conditions.

• Try and position yourself in a lane where you will be most visible to drivers.

A helmet is the most important piece of equipment that a biker can use, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates helmets saved the lives of 1,772 motorcyclists in 2015. Pennsylvania law requires individuals 20 years of age and younger to wear a helmet.

The American Trauma Society, PA Division (ATSPA) is a non-profit trauma prevention education organization dedicated to reducing suffering, disability and death due to trauma. The ATSPA strives to help all Pennsylvanians survive and lead healthier lives through its trauma prevention education programs. For information, call 717-766-1616 and visit www.atspa.org.

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