Motorcycle safety awareness month

MICHIGAN – May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the end of May ushers in the unofficial start of the summer road travel season. Safe riding and driving practices, and cooperation from all road users, will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our nation’s highways.
    Unfortunately, data shows that motorcyclists are often overrepresented in traffic crashes and fatalities each year, and that speed and alcohol are large contributing factors. Additionally, helmet use has drastically declined in the past few years, leaving motorcyclists vulnerable to injury and death. It’s everyone’s responsibility — both the motor vehicle driver and the motorcyclist — to practice safe habits on the road and, ultimately, to Share the Road.
    Sadly, motorcyclists are significantly overrepresented in traffic crashes and fatalities each year. In fact, in 2020, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists were about 28 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were 4 times more likely to be injured.
     One of the primary contributing factors to motorcyclist fatalities is speeding. Motorcycle riders 25 to 29 years old involved in fatal crashes had the highest speeding involvement at 45%.
   Alcohol impairment also plays a significant role in motorcycle-involved crash fatalities. Like seat belts, helmets are a simple and effective way to reduce the likelihood of injury or death during a crash. But helmet use has declined significantly in the past few years. Helmet use continued to be significantly higher in states that require all motorcyclists to be helmeted than in other states that do not. It’s important to understand that both motorcyclists and their passengers should always wear a helmet.