May is Motorcycle Awareness Month
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May 1, 2013 |
As temperatures continue to warm, many Idaho
travelers are trading their cars and trucks for
motorcycles and scooters.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and
its safety partners encourage motorists to “Look
Twice for Motorcycles,” a reminder that will be
shared with hundreds of riders at free events on
Saturday, May 4, at safety rallies across the
state for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
The Boise Motorcycle Awareness Rally, hosted by
the Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety (ICMS),
will start with a gathering at 11 a.m. at Sandy
Point Park followed by a ride to the Capitol at
1 p.m.
“This rally is held every year to remind
motorists that motorcyclists are back out on the
roads,” said Lane Triplett, ICMS chairman. “By
taking part in this rally, all motorcyclists
have the opportunity to participate in raising
awareness of drivers about their presence on
Idaho’s highways and byways. Everyone, please,
look twice for motorcycles.”
Rallies also will take place on Saturday in the
following locations:
Coeur d’Alene: Ride down
Sherman Ave. to 23rd St. at 11 a.m. Riders will
meet at the Kootenai County Courthouse at 9:30
a.m. Hosted by ABATE of North Idaho.
Idaho Falls: Ride to Freeman
Park at 12:30 p.m. Riders will meet at Rocky
Mountain Middle School at 11 a.m. Hosted by the
ICMS.
Orofino: Ride to the Clearwater
County Courthouse at noon. Riders will meet at
the IGA parking lot at 11 a.m. Hosted by the
Clearwater Chapter ABATE of North Idaho.
As drivers are encouraged to be alert and look
for motorcyclists, motorcycle riders are also
reminded to wear protective gear, be prepared
for the unexpected and make themselves visible
to other motorists while on the road.
Colonel Ralph Powell, ISP director, offers
advice to all drivers, “Motorcycles are
sometimes difficult to see in traffic, so we
encourage all drivers to look twice before
turning, pulling out, or changing lanes. This
simple behavior is something everybody can do to
help reduce the number of crashes, and that
means more riders coming home to their families
at the end of the day.”
ITD is partnering with the Idaho STAR program,
ICMS, the Idaho State Police, and local law
enforcement agencies in recognition of
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May to
remind everyone to be extra alert and cautious
when driving or riding to help keep everyone
safe on Idaho highways.
“In motorcycle crashes that involve another
vehicle, most drivers did not see the
motorcycle, until it’s too late,” said Josephine
O’Connor, ITD’s motorcycle safety program
coordinator. “This almost always leads to tragic
consequences for the motorcycle rider, because
they are exposed to a much greater risk of fatal
or serious injury.” |
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