The Collier County Sheriff’s Office reminds all motorists to share the road with motorcycles and to be extra alert when driving to help keep motorcyclists safe.The popularity of motorcycling has increased in the last few years with more than 9,600 registered motorcycles in Collier County. While recreational riders have boosted local motorcycle sales over the years, more recently daily commuters, pushed by climbing gas prices and a fledgling economy, have discovered that their motorcycle is a good alternative for travel to and from work.
Motorcycle riders now account for one out of every 10 U.S. road fatalities each year – with motorcyclist deaths from traffic crashes rising each of the last eight years.
Motorcycles are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size.
Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than drivers of passenger vehicles in the event of a crash. Research shows that approximately 80 percent of motorcycle crashes injure or kill a motorcycle rider, while only 20 percent of passenger car crashes injure or kill a driver or passenger in their vehicle. Per vehicle mile traveled motorcyclists are 37 times more likely to die in a traffic crash than occupants in passenger vehicles.
CCSO offers these tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways:
* Remember the motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle on the roadway. Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width – never try to share a lane;
* Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections;
* Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic;
* Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle – motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed;
* Remember that road conditions which are minor annoyances to passenger vehicles pose major hazards to motorcyclists;
