FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
CONTACT: Amanda Brown
OFFICE: 615-253-5152
Tennessee Highway Safety Office Reminds Motorists
To Look Twice During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Tennessee – May is designated as national Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are joining to share a unified message: Look Twice. Motorcyclists, along with pedestrians and bicyclists, are considered a vulnerable population of road users due to the limited defense they have in the event of a crash. THSO is asking all motorists to share the responsibility of keeping these riders safe and to look twice at their surroundings before maneuvering their vehicles.
“Fatal crashes with motorcycles are on the rise, and helmet usage is on the decline,” said Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott. “We have seen a dramatic increase in our traffic fatalities so far this year, and that disturbing trend needs to stop. As the weather gets warmer, please be on the lookout for these riders.”
Motorcyclists, a small population of road users, are disproportionately represented in traffic fatalities. Preliminary data reveals that in 2015, there were over 2,800 crashes involving a motorcycle in Tennessee. These crashes resulted in 123 deaths. These deaths accounted for nearly thirteen percent of all traffic fatalities statewide.
“Allow enough following distance for a motorcycle -- four to five seconds -- just like you would a car. Never try to share a lane with a motorcycle, and remember to check your blind spot before changing lanes,” said Stephanie Milani, AAA Tennessee Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As always, limit distractions when driving because it only takes a second of inattention to cause a crash.”
Motorcyclists must also take precautions to remain safe on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that in the United States, 1,630 lives were saved in 2014 because of proper helmet usage, but another 715 lives could have been saved if helmets had been worn.
“Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous, but it is also seriously fun. You can't always rely on others to look out for you on the road, so to keep having fun on two wheels, you will need to develop a safe riding mindset,” said Marisa McInturff of the Tennessee Motorcycle Rider Education Program. “Are you ready? Is your gear ready? Is your bike ready? Continued education and regular practice will help you build and maintain the skills needed to avoid confrontations on the road, keeping you on your bike for longer.”
For more information about motorcycle safety, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.