PennDOT reminding people of motorcycle safety as weather gets warmer

Pennsylvania has more than 850,000 licensed motorcyclists, according to AAA. With the weather getting warmer, more of them are hitting the roads on their bikes, but that also raises concerns about safety.

“The profile of a motorcycle is much more narrow than a car or a truck, so unfortunately that makes them harder for us to see,” said AAA spokesperson Tiffany Stanley.

With gas prices setting new records almost every day, more people might opt for their bikes over their cars this summer, said Stanley.

“It is possible that people start changing their driving habits or maybe using a different vehicle instead of their regular car or truck,” she said.

That’s why keeping your eyes on the road and riders around you is key for everyone’s safety.

PennDOT urges drivers to give motorcyclists space, use turn signals, and always check mirrors and blind spots.

“Motorcyclists are more vulnerable on the road,” said Yasmeen Manyisha with PennDOT. “They don’t have the protection that regular vehicles — a car or an SUV— has. If they’re struck it’s going to do a lot more damage.”

According to PennDOT, last year there were more than 3,500 crashes involving motorcycles in Pennsylvania. 226 of them resulted in deaths.

That’s 150 additional crashes and 9 more deaths than the year prior.

“People aren’t sharing the road properly and that’s a two person job,” said Manyisha.

That means motorcyclists have a responsibility to ride safely, too.

According to AAA, that means not speeding or weaving in and out of traffic, wearing bright or reflective colors and wearing a helmet — even though not all riders are required to wear one in Pennsylvania.

“We know that a helmet is very important because cyclists who crash with a helmet are more likely to survive a head injury,” said Stanley.

PennDOT also recommends that all motorcyclists take a free safety refresher course.

You can learn more here: https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/Motorcyclists/PAMSP/Pages/default.aspx

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