Warm weather also means motorcycles are back on the roads and May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Richland County Safe Communities and Richland Public Health are reminding the public to “Look For Motorcycles” to increase safe sharing of the road.
- Respect Motorcycle Rights – A motorcycle is a vehicle with the same rights as any other motor vehicle. Always give a motorcycle the full lane to ride in: never share a lane.
- Check your mirrors before turning or changing lanes. Because of their size, motorcycles may be harder to see.
- Signal your intent to change lanes.
- Watch your turns – Many motorcycle crashes are caused by a driver turning in front of a motorcycle. Left turns can be dangerous because drivers misjudge the speed of an oncoming motorcycle. When in doubt, wait it out.
- Give them room. Drive at least 4 to 5 seconds behind to avoid tailgating.
- Remember … they’re your neighbors. Motorcyclists come from all walks of life. Your neighbor, co-worker or a friend may ride a motorcycle.
Here are what the statistics say about motorcycle injuries and fatalities:
- Two thirds of fatal motorcycle crashes involve a motorcycle and another vehicle. In those crashes more than 50 percent of the time the non-motorcycle operator is at fault.
- Nationwide, motorcycle fatalities increased in 2012 to nearly 5,000 riders and passengers, up by 700 fatalities over the year before. Part of that may be due to an increase in gas prices putting more riders on the road, including new riders and returning riders. Another factor is the continued decrease in motorcycle helmet use. Only 19 states have motorcycle helmets laws for all riders.
- There were 163 motorcycle fatalities in Ohio and 3,290 injuries last year. Unfortunately, of those fatalities, 67 percent of were not wearing helmets. In 71 percent of motorcycle fatalities nationwide the riders were not wearing helmets.
- The highest fatality rate for riders was the age group of 51-55 years old, accounting for 28 percent of the fatalities.
- Although there were no motorcycle fatalities in Richland County last year, there were two motorcycle-related fatalities in the County in 2012. Neither was wearing a helmet and both involved excessive speed. Richland County has had nine motorcycle fatalities in the last six years.
To bring more awareness to the return of motorcycles on the road, Richland County Safe Communities Coalition is joining with Boomer’s Powersports (539 Park Avenue East, Mansfield) on May 3 for a “Blessing of the Bikes,” First Ride and cookout. The event starts at 10 a.m. and the ride begins at 11 a.m. Safe Communities and the Richland Public Health will be there with information and sponsored giveaways and there will be live entertainment. Boomer’s is asking all participants to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the Friendly House. (Rain date: May 10).