2023 Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently gearing up for National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Throughout the Month of May, the NHTSA and other public safety organizations throughout the U.S. will be raising awareness about the dangers facing motorcycle riders on roadways.  

There will be several different public safety campaigns being advertised on television, radio and social media. Some of the most important topics being discussed during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month include motorist awareness of motorcycles, riding sober, rider safety and sharing the road.  

U.S. Motorcycle Crash Facts  

  • In 2020, there were 5,579 motorcyclists killed in crashes on U.S. roadways.  
  • Between 2019 and 2020, there was an 11-percent increase in motorcyclist fatalities.
  • An estimated 82,538 motorcycle riders were injured in 2020. 
  • In 2020, motorcyclist deaths accounted for 14 percent of total highway fatalities. 
  • In 2020, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists were about 28 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and four times more likely to be injured.  

Share The Road 

An important part of keeping motorcycle riders safe is sharing the road. What it means to share the road is to watch out for motorcyclists and help keep them safe. Make sure motorcycles have plenty of room to maneuver. Always check your blindspots before changing lanes, and check both ways before pulling out onto a road. Drivers can familiarize themselves with some unique aspects of motorcycle riding too.  

Motorcyclists don’t always slow down using their brakes, so pay close attention to the speed of a motorcycle in front of you. Also, be extra careful when pulling out around motorcycles, because it can be hard to judge the speed and distance of a motorcycle. Above all, make a commitment to distraction-free driving.  

Motorcycle Accidents in San Diego  

Even with helmets, jackets, boots and other protective gear, motorcycle riders are extremely vulnerable roadway users. They don’t have air bags, seat belts or the protection of a steel cage in the event of a wreck. Motorcycle accidents can leave riders out of work, in the hospital or worse.  

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact the skilled and proven team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation today.