GEORGIA - The Georgia Motorcycle Program, a program within Georgia Department of Driver Services, is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind all drivers to “Share the Road” with motorcycles.
NHTSA designated May “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month,” to remind all drivers to keep each other safe. According to the NHTSA, if we hold the number of miles constant (assume the car driver and the motorcycle rider are going the same distance), the motorcyclist is 26 times more likely than the car occupant to die in a traffic accident.
“It’s up to all motorists and motorcyclists to make our roads safer,” DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore said. “All road users need to share the responsibility of keeping the roadways safe. By following road signs, obeying speed limits, and always staying focused on the road, deaths and injuries can be prevented.”
With the weather turning warm more motorcyclists are riding on Georgia roads. DDS reminds everyone on the road to make your vehicle as visible as possible. Automobile drivers remember not to follow too closely to another vehicle, drive with your running lights on, and use your turn signal when changing lanes.
Motorcyclists remember to keep a safe distance to those driving in front of you. Also, make yourself as visible as possible by:
- Wearing brightly colored protective gear during the day
- Using reflective material at night on your protective gear
- Positioning yourself in traffic to be seen
- Communicating your intentions to other drivers with turn and hand signals
- Following the rules of the road.
2017 saw 137 Georgians killed in motorcycle accidents (as reported by GDOT). So, this May remember to “Share the Road,” because lives depend on it.
