Wolf Administration joins PennDOT in reminding motorcyclists to ride safely

Wolf Administration joins PennDOT in reminding motorcyclists to ride safely

5/1/2017-HARRISBURG

With both temperatures and the number of motorcycles appearing on
Pennsylvania
roadways rising, the Wolf Administration reminds everyone to share the road

safely during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May.

"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,"
Governor
Tom Wolf said. "Staying aware while driving or riding, obeying speed limits
and
being responsible will help keep fatalities and injuries as low as
possible."

There were 3,447 crashes involving motorcycles on Pennsylvania roadways in
2016, resulting in 192 fatalities.

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.

"Sharing the road safely, staying aware while driving or riding, obeying
speed
limits and being responsible can help keep motorcycle fatalities and
injuries
low," said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. "Taking a training course
under the watchful eye of a trained instructor also goes a long way in
reducing
the likelihood of a crash."

The Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) offers state 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 motorcyclists of
all
skill and experience levels. 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-Wheel Motorcycle Basic Rider Course
(3WBRC). All courses are offered free of charge to Pennsylvania residents
with
a valid motorcycle permit or license as required.

For more information or to enroll in a course, visit www.pamsp.com or call
1-800-845-9533 Monday through Friday, between noon and 4:00 PM. Potential
riders looking for a convenient way to prepare for their knowledge test can

download the PA Motorcycle Practice Test app by visiting www.pa.gov and
searching the mobile apps for the Pennsylvania Motorcycle License Practice
Test, or by using the App Store (Apple devices) or Google Play (Android
devices). A copy of the Motorcycle Operators Manual can be downloaded for
free
at www.dmv.pa.gov.

To view a complete list of District 6 News Releases: Click
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