"Look. Learn. Arrive Alive." This is Missouri's slogan as it relates to safe driving practices and educating Missourians about various dangers on our roadways. Most recently, the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety has joined with several federal, state and local agencies to bring light to a new public awareness campaign designed to educate Missourians about motorcycle safety. They've also designated May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness month.
The SaveMoLives website recently issued a statement that motorcycle fatalities actually dropped by 21.5 pecent in 2009 from the year prior. After decades of the number of fatalities increasing each year, this is a very welcome change. The MCRS and other agencies would like to continue the downward trend by offering some safetly tips for drivers of passenger and commercial vehicles sharing the roadway with motorcycle riders:
Motorcycles have the same rights and priveleges as any other vehicle on the road.
Always allow the motorcycle a full lane's width. Do not share lanes.
Motorcycles are small and hard to see, so it can be difficult to judge the speed of an approaching motorcycle.
Always use your signals before changing lanes or merging into traffic.
Make a visual check for motorcycles by using mirrors and checking your blind spots before changing lanes and at intersections.
Remember that road conditions which can be minor in a car can be quite hazardous to motorcyclists. They may change their speed or adjust position in a lane very quickly to avoid dangers such as potholes, gravel, wet surfaces or railroad crossings.
Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle, three or four seconds, to give the motorcyclist ample room to maneuver as needed.
For more information, visit SaveMoLives website for more motorcycle safety tips.
