Rhode Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

RIDOT Joins State and Federal Partners in Reminding All Drivers to "Share the Road" with Motorcycles

May Proclaimed Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Motorcycle riders now account for one out of every ten U.S. road fatalities each year – with motorcyclists’ deaths from traffic crashes rising each of the last eight years.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,553 motorcyclists lost their lives in fatal highway crashes in 2005. Of those, 56 percent involved another vehicle in addition to the motorcycle in the crash.

That’s why the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today that they are joining with other federal, state and local highway safety and law enforcement organizations in proclaiming May 2007 as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.” All motorists are reminded that they are sharing the road with motorcycles and they should “Be Aware, Drive and Ride with Care.”

“With warmer weather here, motorcycles are back on the roads. Therefore, drivers of passenger vehicles need to be cautious,” said RIDOT Director Jerome F. Williams. “Motorcycles are the smallest vehicles on our roadways. Other vehicles need to look out for them—and to take extra care and safely ‘Share the Road’.”

Williams noted that motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size. “It’s crucial that motorists always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic or an intersection,” added Williams. Williams also reminded that motorcyclists have responsibilities, too, by following the rules of the roadway, driving responsibly, being alert to other drivers, and always wearing protective gear.

Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle drivers in the event of a crash. Research shows that approximately 80 percent of motorcycle crashes injure or kill a motorcycle rider, while only 20 percent of passenger car crashes injure or kill a driver or passenger in the vehicle. In fact, according to NHTSA, in relation to per vehicle mile traveled in 2005, motorcyclists were 37 times more likely to die in a traffic crash than occupants in passenger vehicles.

To view the rest of this article please visit The Rhode Island Department of Transportation at www.dot.state.ri.us.

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