The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and The Polk County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind all motorists that May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. As May approaches with warmer temperatures throughout the country, the unofficial start of the summer road travel season begins. Safe riding and driving practices, and cooperation from all road users, will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our roads.
We have put together a few tips to keep in mind:
- Drive and ride alcohol and drug-free.
- Observe all traffic laws.
- Obey the speed limit.
- Drive and ride defensively.
- Yield to motorcyclists, especially while turning at intersections.
- Avoid distractions that place motorcyclists and other road users at risk.
- Wear high-visibility personal protective gear and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets.
The completion of a rider education and training course can ensure a safer riding experience. As summer approaches, we should all commit to safe driving and riding and to our role in ensuring a safe motorcycle-riding environment. For more information on motorcycle safety, visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles.
Please remember that we all need to share the road responsibly. Take a moment to look twice and save a life.
Stay Safe.
