Ohio Highway Patrol: Keep eye out for motorcycles

As the temperature rises, so does the number of motorcycles on the road.

May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. That’s why the Ohio Highway Patrol is urging all motorists to be aware and all motorcyclists to ride trained and sober.

Crashes involving motorcycles resulted in 542 deaths and 11,400 injuries in Ohio between 2008 and 2010, according to the Highway Patrol.

Of those 542 deaths, the motorcyclist was at fault 68 percent of the time.

Between 2008 and 2010, 20 percent of the 8,675 citations troopers handed out to motorcyclists were for operating the bike without a proper license or endorsement.

The Highway Patrol stresses that anyone considering motorcycling first should receive proper training and licensing before heading out on the road. Simple steps such as ensuring their licenses are valid, receiving quality training and wearing proper safety equipment help motorcycle riders stay safe.

Troopers stress sober riding, too. In 2010, 39 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes involved an impaired motorcyclist.

The Highway Patrol recognizes motor vehicle drivers and passengers also must be vigilant.

Motorcycles have the same privileges as cars or trucks. Other motorists are urged to give them a full lane of travel; to look for them on the highway, at intersections and when they’re turning or changing lanes; and to avoid following them too closely.