Texas Transportation Officials Launch Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

ROUND ROCK, TX -- State transportation officials are launching "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month" in May to brin awareness to the traffic safety and remember the hundreds -- more than 400 -- motorcyclists who lost their lives in crashes last year alone.

On average, a motorcyclist dies in a crash on Texas roads every day, according to Texas Department of Transportation officials. Last year, 455 motorcyclists died in Texas streets.

To help curb the carnage, TxDot is launching its "Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles" campaign. Throughout the month of May, transportation officials will make stops at baseball games and festivals across Texas communities where guests can participate in activities highlighting motorcycle safety.

In our region, the event will be staged at Dell Diamond May 10. 

“Motorcycles can be difficult to see, so it’s important for drivers to look twice, especially before turning at intersections or changing lanes,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable because they don’t have seat belts, airbags and surrounding steel doors to protect them.”

Motorcyclists are nearly five times more likely than car or truck occupants to be injured in a crash and 26 times more likely to be killed, officials said.

In addition to last year's death toll of 455 fatalities, another 1,867 motorcyclists were seriously injured last year. About half of fatal motorcycle crashes result from a collision with a car or truck, officials said.

Invariably, drivers said they either didn't see the motorcycle or misjudged how fast it was traveling as the reason for the collision.

Each year at the end of April, many Texas cities issue proclamations that observe May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. During this period, TxDOT’s “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign will make stops at baseball games and festivals in Texas communities where guests can participate in activities that highlight motorcycle safety. The campaign reminds drivers to:

• Look twice for motorcycles, especially at intersections.
• Use turn signals when changing lanes.
• Check your mirrors before changing lanes.
• Don’t follow a motorcycle too closely.
• Always assume motorcycles are closer than they appear.

The May 10 event at Dell Diamond -- home to the Round Rock Express minor league baseball team -- is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.