Governor Wolf Proclaims May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Governor Wolf Proclaims May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

5/3/2016-HARRISBURG

With both temperatures and the number of motorcycles appearing on
Pennsylvania
roadways rising, Governor Tom Wolf has signed a proclamation commemorating
May
as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
"As more and more people enjoy the fun and excitement of motorcycling, we
want
to remind both motorcyclists and motorists to share the road safely," said
PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. "Staying aware while driving or
riding,
obeying speed limits and being responsible will help keep fatalities and
injuries as low as possible."
There were more than 3,400 crashes involving motorcycles on Pennsylvania
roadways in 2015, resulting in 179 fatalities. Although crashes rose by 139

from the 2014 number of 3,284, fatalities took a dip from 186 in 2014 to a
10-year low of 179 in 2015.

Some safety tips motorists can keep in mind when sharing the road with
motorcycles include:

• Watch for Motorcycles: be aware that motorcycles are small and may be
difficult to see. Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and
at
intersections.
• Allow more following distance: leave at least four seconds when following
a
motorcycle.
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with
traffic.
• Respect a motorcycle as a full-size vehicle with the same rights and
privileges as any vehicle on the roadway. Allow a motorcyclist a full lane
width as the motorcyclist needs the room to maneuver safely in all types of

road conditions.
• Never drive impaired.

Motorcyclists can do their part to help avoid crashes by following some
simple
safety tips:

• Be seen by wearing reflective clothing and put reflective tape on your
protective clothing and motorcycle. Also wear face or eye protection and a
DOT-approved helmet.
• Use common sense by riding sober, obeying all speed limits and allowing
enough time to react to potentially dangerous situations.
• Know your motorcycle and conduct a pre-ride check.
• Practice safe riding techniques and know how to handle your motorcycle in

adverse road and weather conditions.

Another factor contributing to motorcycle safety is proper training. To
ensure
that only properly licensed riders are operating on Pennsylvania roadways,
under Act 126 of 2013, after securing their first motorcycle learner's
permit,
people may only reapply for a permit up to three times in a five-year
period.

Once the person's motorcycle leaner's permit expires, the individual may
retake
the knowledge test and reapply for a new permit. If a permit holder is
unsuccessful in obtaining a motorcycle license after the third permit
reapplication, they must wait the entire five years from the initial
issuance
of the permit to get another one. This law is aimed at preventing the
practice
of continually extending the permit without retaking the knowledge test or
ever
taking the skills test and obtaining a motorcycle license.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) offers
Pennsylvania residents with a motorcycle permit the opportunity to earn a
motorcycle license or refresh their skills through the 15-hour Basic Rider
Course (BRC). It also offers a variety of training to help develop safe
riding
skills for all motorcyclists, no matter how experienced or inexperienced
the
rider. The courses include: the 15-hour Basic Rider Course (BRC); the
six-hour
Basic Rider Course 2 (BRC2); the eight-hour Advanced Rider Course (ARC);
and
the 12-hour 3-Wheeled Motorcycle Basic Rider Course (3WBRC). All of these
courses are offered free of charge.

For more information on motorcycle rider training or to schedule a course,
visit www.pamsp.com or call 1-800-845-9533, Monday through Friday, between
noon
and 4 p.m.

MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Campbell, 717-787-0485

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