Spring is in the air! The birds are chirping, the sun is shining (occasionally), and the roads are calling. With warmer weather, more motorcyclists are pulling their bikes out of storage and joining our commutes and drives. Unfortunately, there is a growing trend in the number of motorcycle fatalities and accidents each year, making motorcycle safety a real concern for riders. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and we just happen to have a few basic tips to help everyone arrive at their destination…safely.

First things first…

Common Causes of Accidents: Motorists fail to see riders when they are coming out of a driveway, making a left turn in front of an oncoming rider or when the motorcycle is in the driver’s “blind spot.”

To help keep motorcyclists safe on the road while you’re driving your vehicle, follow these safety tips: 

• Check lanes twice before changing. Double-check to be sure you didn’t miss a motorcyclist who may have been in your blind spot. 
• Be aware. Pay extra attention while driving at night. Motorcycles are smaller and may not be as easy to see as a car. 
• Keep a safe distance. Especially when driving behind motorcycles, ensure you have enough space to stop in the event there’s an accident or problem ahead on the road. 
• Drive defensively. Exercising an abundance of caution can help prevent accidents and account for other drivers’ actions. 

That autopilot kicks in, or you’re late for a meeting… everyone is guilty of being distracted or zoning out at one time or another… so let this Month’s Awareness campaign be the little reminder we all need. Happy travels!