The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program reminds drivers of motorcycle safety during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and drivers are reminded that safety for motorcyclists is important for everyone on the road.

Drivers are reminded by the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that Motorcyclist’s Safety Is Everyone’s Safety, and that everyone plays a role when it comes to motorcycle safety.

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59News Reporter Michael Hare traveled to Beckley to speak to an experienced motorcycle driver who is also the owner of “Bub’s Cycle.”

Buster Jones, owner of Bub’s Cycle, recommends learning to drive a motorcycle off the road before hitting the highway.

“It’s always good if you learn to ride a motorcycle off the road first. Like a dirt bike. If you start out on a street bike, first thing you need to do is go take your driving test. West Virginia has a separate driving license for motorcycles,” said Jones to 59News.

According to data from the NHTSA, 6,218 motorcyclists died due to accidents in 2022, a 1 percent increase from the 6,143 fatalities in 2021. The numbers show about 15 percent of highway deaths in 2022. The data also showed that for each 100 million miles traveled, those who drive motorcycles are 22 times more likely to die in accidents and four times more likely to be injured than passengers in cars.

Road safety for motorcyclists is different than for those who drive cars because the visibility, size of the motorcycle, and the way motorcyclists drive varies. Drivers need to look out for motorcyclists when on the road because they have a higher risk of injuries and deaths in accidents.

There are various ways to help motorcyclists stay safe on the roads, some of which include:

• Don’t follow motorcycles too closely

• Always check your blind spots

• Be careful when passing

• Do not high beam motorcycles at night

• Do not tailgate a motorcycle

• Keep a safe distance and do not pass motorcycles at night

• Let motorcyclists know when you plan to turn

• Motorcycles take longer to stop than cars

• Remember that motorcycles react faster than cars

• Stay in your lane

• Keep an eye out at left turns and intersections

• Be careful in bad weather due to decreased visibility

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The safety of motorcyclists is not only the responsibility of other drivers, it is also up to the motorcyclists themselves. Data shows that the percentage of motorcyclists who die in accidents caused by speeding is higher (33 percent) than the 22 percent of passenger car drivers, 15 percent of light-truck drivers, and six percent of large-truck driver fatalities. 51 percent of those who die in motorcycle crashes due to speeding are people who are 21 to 24 years old.

Some safety tips for motorcycle drivers include:

• Take a safety course

• Do not ride a motorcycle while drunk

• Be familiar with your motorcycle and how it works

• Make sure you have the right motorcycle gear and an approved helmet

• Inspect your motorcycle before each ride

• Obey traffic laws, use signals, and obey the speed limit

• Check the weather before leaving

• Be visible

• Keep an eye out and look for road hazards

• Stay a safe distance behind other vehicles

Keeping an eye out is important for motorcycle drivers because objects on roadways such as grass clippings can be very dangerous, as they can cause the motorcycle to loose traction.

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