In recognition of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, I’d like to encourage all motorists and motorcyclists to commit to sharing the road, this month and all year long, in a collective effort to reduce motorcycle deaths and injuries across our state.

Safety is a mutual responsibility for motorists and motorcyclists alike. Motorcyclists are about 30 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants. Drivers should always be on the lookout for motorcyclists. A motorcycle, as one of the smallest of vehicles on the road, can “hide” in a vehicle’s blind spots.

Drivers should always check blind spots, use mirrors and signals before changing lanes or making turns.

Motorcyclists have responsibilities, too. They should obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed, and, like their motorist counterparts, motorcyclists should never ride while impaired or distracted.

Motorists and motorcyclists have a common responsibility to share the road together in a safe, courteous and conscientious manner. Drivers of both vehicles must be fully focused and alert to the road and in control of their vehicles at all times.

Together, motorists and motorcyclists can work to keep each other and our roads safe for everyone, not only in May, but all year long.

Jeffrey Flye

United Bikers of Maine

Winslow

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