May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety would like to remind all motorists that Motorcyclists’ safety is everyone’s responsibility.
From The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety:
Motorcycle safety is an ongoing issue for all road users. When we consistently follow safe driving and safe riding practices, all motorists can help reduce the possibility of fatalities and injuries due to motorcycle crashes on Maine roadways. Each year motorcyclists are overrepresented in traffic crashes. Two leading contributors to this reality are often excessive speed and alcohol impairment. It is important to note that, while in years past, riding was seen as a leisure activity, it is now often a person’s primary or only mode of transportation. It is essential that riders and drivers both pay critical attention to their driving habits and to each other while out on the roads. According to data provided by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, there were 35 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2024. That number represents 20% of the 178 total fatalities for the year on Maine roadways. Speeding was a contributing factor in 20% of all motorcyclist fatalities in 2024. Fatalities were nearly evenly spread among all age groups, but 25 to 34-year-olds had the highest number of fatalities. Alcohol impairment continues to be a contributing factor in motorcycle-involved crash fatalities.
Vehicle drivers and motorcyclists can help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on Maine’s roadways by:
- Observing all traffic laws and obeying the speed limit.
- Driving and riding alcohol and drug-free.
- Avoiding distractions while driving or riding.
- Yielding to motorcyclists especially when drivers are turning at intersections.
- Wearing high-visibility protective gear and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets while riding.
For information on where to find a motorcycle rider training course, go HERE.
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