May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) urges all motorists to stay alert and watch for motorcycles on the road. As temperatures rise, more motorcycles are hitting the streets — and with that comes a greater need for awareness and caution.
“Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in traffic, and too often, drivers simply don’t see them,” said RCOC Board Chair Eric McPherson, who is a motorcycle rider and enthusiast. “Taking a second look before changing lanes or turning can be the difference between life and death.”
RCOC encourages drivers to help reduce crashes and save lives by:
- Looking twice before turning or changing lanes.
- Not trying to share a lane with a motorcycle.
- Giving extra following distance behind motorcycles.
- Avoiding distractions and staying focused on driving.
- Riding and driving sober.
Motorcyclists are also encouraged to ride responsibly, wear high-visibility gear and helmets and follow all traffic laws.
For more information on motorcycle safety and road awareness initiatives, visit https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/safety-topics/motorcycle-safety. Riders who see an obstacle on the road that could be dangerous for motorcyclists can report the obstacle to the Road Commission’s Department of Customer Services at 877-858-4804 or via the RCOC website, www.rcocweb.org (click the “Report an Issue” button).
