Motorcycle Safety Important All Year For All Motorists

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to promoting motorcycle safety, reducing injuries and fatalities involving motorcycles, stressing the importance of defensive driving and sharing the road with motorcycles.

In the past few years, Kansas has experienced an increase in motorcycle registrations. With additional motorcycles on the roads, passenger vehicle drivers and motorcycle operators must share the responsibility of driving defensively and with the level of awareness necessary to ensure the safety of all motorists.

In 2008, motorcycles were involved in nearly 9% of all fatal accidents in Kansas. While the total number of crashes and fatalities in the state is decreasing, the number of motorcycle crashes is increasing. In 1998, there were 19 fatalities, and 546 injuries involving motorcycle operators/riders. In 2008, there were 45 fatalities, and 1,086 injuries involving motorcycle operators/riders.

Motorcyclists can increase their safety by wearing the proper protective gear, including helmets. They should also abide by Kansas traffic laws. Passing on the shoulders, driving in between cars, and speeding have all been the cause of some very serious and fatal traffic crashes involving motorcycles.

Likewise, drivers of passenger vehicles have an obligation to ensure the safety of motorcyclists when sharing the roads with them. Because motorcycles are lower-profile vehicles, it is sometimes hard to see them. Blind spots should always be checked for motorcycles, because they are hard to see, especially in a vehicle’s blind spot. Remember, motorcycles have the same rights and privileges as other vehicles on the roads.

Kansas travelers should unite, not just this month, but throughout the year to increase the safety of all travelers, regardless of their mode of transportation.

Do you have questions or suggestions? If so, please send them via e-mail to: KSHighwayPatrol@khp.ks.gov.