Governor Mike Braun has proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in Indiana, joining a nationwide campaign by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. With riding season underway, this annual observance serves as an important reminder that safety on our roadways is a shared responsibility.

 

As temperatures rise and traffic increases, so does the presence of motorcycles on Hoosier roads. For many riders, this marks a return after months off the bike. May presents the ideal time to remind motorists to look for motorcyclists, as well as offer tips for riders who have been inactive since last fall and could be a bit rusty.

 

Motorcycle crashes continue to have devastating consequences across our state. Behind every incident is a person, a family, friends, and communities left to cope with the loss. These are not isolated events. They are preventable tragedies that demand our collective attention.

 

A large percentage of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes occur when a driver fails to recognize a motorcycle in traffic, often turning into or pulling out in front of a rider. It is not enough to simply glance. Motorists must actively look for motorcycles and account for them in every driving decision. The proliferation of Automated Driving Systems that do not yet accurately detect motorcycles compounds this issue. At the same time, riders must take personal responsibility by riding within their abilities, maintaining control, and staying alert to the actions of others.

 

Training and proper licensing continue to play a critical role in rider safety. Motorcyclists who invest in professional instruction and ongoing skill development are significantly better equipped to handle real-world riding situations. Experience matters, but so does preparation.

 

ABATE of Indiana encourages all riders to make safety a priority this season: get trained, get licensed, practice regularly, and ride defensively. Motorists are urged to slow down, eliminate distractions, allow additional space, and treat motorcycles with the same respect as any other road user.

 

Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month is not just about awareness; it’s about awareness in action. Every decision made behind the wheel or on the handlebars has the potential to save a life.

 

“Save a Life – Be Aware – Motorcycles Are Everywhere.”

 

Media Contact:

Jay Jackson

Executive Director

ABATE of Indiana

www.abateonline.org