TxDot Urges Drivers To ‘Share The Road,’ Help Curb Increase In Motorcycle Fatalities

TxDot Urges Drivers To ‘Share The Road,’ Help Curb Increase In Motorcycle Fatalities

Austin — In an effort to curb an increase in statewide motorcycle fatalities, the Texas Department of Transportation is launching its “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign as part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May.

The campaign, which will include outreach events across the state, is being launched in advance of the summer months, which annually report the highest concentration of motorcycle crashes.

In 2016, Texas motorcycle fatalities increased six percent from 2015. In Austin last year, there were 13 motorcycle fatalities, which marked a decrease from 15 in 2015. However, the overall number of crashes and injuries in Austin increased.

TxDOT’s statewide “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” motorcycle safety and public awareness campaign urges motorists to look twice for motorcycles especially at intersections and when changing lanes, the two places where serious motorcycle collisions commonly occur.

Why should drivers be aware of motorcyclists when traveling Texas roads?

On average, a motorcyclist dies in a crash on Texas roads every day. In 2016, 493 riders lost their lives and 2,006 were seriously injured in motorcycle crashes.

About half of fatal motorcycle crashes result from a car or truck colliding with it, often because drivers simply don’t see it or misjudge how close it is and how fast it’s traveling.

The small size of motorcycles compared to other vehicles on the road means they can appear to be farther away than they are, and it’s easy to misjudge their speed.

The combination of congested roadways, distracted driving, and the difficulty of seeing motorcycles in traffic has led to far too many preventable fatalities each year.

What are some tips for safely sharing the road with motorcycles?

• Look twice for motorcycles, especially at intersections.
• Obey posted speed limits.
• Use your turn signals and check your blind spot before changing lanes.
• Don’t follow a motorcycle too closely.
• Always assume motorcycles are closer than they appear to be.

Give motorcyclists a full lane.