SIDNEY — The sun is shining, days are getting longer and with the warmer weather, area motorcyclists are hitting the roads. To bring awareness back to other drivers, the month of May has been designated Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
Despite the motorcyclist knowing the importance of alertness, and the numerous signs posted in yards and on vehicles reminding motorists to “look twice, save a life,” there has already been several local, motorcycle accidents, with at least one fatality, early this season. Because of these kinds incidents, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation asks all motorists to “safely share the road.”
Last year in Ohio, there were 3,362 injuries, with 163 fatalities statewide; and in Shelby County alone, there were 1,433 total crashes, 14 of which were motorcycle related.
“Always ride smart and sober,” urges the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “Statistics show that the percent of intoxicated motorcycle riders in fatal crashes is greater than the percentage of intoxicated drivers on our roads.”
The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OHSP) also would like to remind motorcyclists to ride sober, and to emphasize for drivers to “take an extra moment to look and make sure a motorcyclist – or even a bicyclist – is not coming,” said Lt. Joseph Gephart.
Gephart said, aside from not driving drunk, the number one recommendation of the OSHP is to be properly licensed. Other than during the motorcycle permit phase, one must obtain a motorcycle endorsement to be legally licensed to ride a motorcycle.
“A lot of crashes we have seen over time is from those who are not endorsed or are not meeting the proper recommendations,” Gephart said.
According to Motorcycle Ohio, a government organization dedicated to all things surrounding motorcycle safety, including training and awareness, 80 percent of motorcycle crashes involved a rider who had never been trained.
First year endorsed riders and permit holders must wear a helmet at all times. Permit holders are banned from the interstate, hauling passengers, and riding after dark.
Gephart advised to always wear the appropriate safety gear including: a helmet, proper eye-wear, gloves, long pants, a leather coat and boots.
“Although it is not required by law (in Ohio) to wear a helmet, its always recommended,” said Gephart. “There are no guarantee,s but it’s certainly better to have it.”
He said they have a great number of crashes involving alcohol, and that riding a motorcycle “really takes all senses, and so riding sober is very important because anything that distracts the senses is counterproductive.” He also suggests for riders participating in charity rides, such as “poker-runs,” to keep a “good distance” between bikes to allow for plenty of room to react in case they need to hit the brakes or swerve, for whatever reason.
Gephart recommends everyone take an extra moment to look twice, “it goes a long way in preventing crashes.”
Motorists should remember to give “riders” the full lane and pay extra attention ont the highways and at intersections.
State Program Coordinator Chuck Stiteler said Motorcycle Ohio’s “Ride SMART” campaign stands for: Ride Sober. Ride Motorcycle endorsed. Ride Alert. Use the Right gear. Ride Trained.
Stiteler said Motorcycle Ohio not only offers classes for the novice to gain initial training for “a basic foundation,” but also encourages riders to come back “every two to three years for some additional training” to sharpen one’s skills. Those without an endorsement can obtain one by completing the course and passing a motorcycle drivers’ test at the end of the class series.
For more information on registering for motorcycle safety classes, visit www.motorcycle.ohio.gov or call 800-83-rider.
