May Transportation Safety Newsletter: Motorcyclist Safety

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 05/01/2024 10:00 AM PDT

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May 2024

Look Out for People on Motorcycles

Brother. Dad. Veteran. Rider. Image of man holding a motorcycle helmet under his arm.

May marks the beginning of riding season for many motorcyclists and it’s also Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Under that helmet, they’re a lot like you, with families and lives to get home to. So keep an extra eye out for motorcycle riders, especially when turning. And let’s all arrive safely.

The following are safe driving and riding practices that all road users — vehicle drivers and motorcyclists alike — should follow to help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our roadways:

Observe all traffic laws and always obey the speed limit.
Drive and ride alcohol- and drug-free.
Avoid distractions while driving or riding.
Drivers should yield to motorcyclists, especially while turning at intersections.
Motorcyclists should wear high-visibility protective gear and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets.

Slow Down in Work Zones

Let’s all make sure the people working for Oregon’s roads are safe on the job – and everyone gets back to their families. When you see a work zone, please slow down and pay attention. Our lives are in your hands.

May Is National Bicycle Safety Month

Spring into summer... Enjoy the ride! Let's all look out for each other. Drive & Ride Safely. The Way to Go.

Every day, lots of people of all ages bike along Oregon’s paths and streets. This form of transportation is good for the environment, good for physical health, and it’s cheaper than owning and operating a vehicle.

This May during National Bicycle Safety Month, we want our community to protect bicyclists by being responsible and conscientious motorists. Please pass safely by slowing down and leaving extra space for riders in case they should fall. We also want our bicyclists to practice smart riding habits by riding safely and always wearing a helmet. Let’s all look out for each other. Drive and ride safely!

Watch Video

Safe Speeds in Advertising

Image of vehicle traveling fast on a TV screen with the text "GET HOME FIRST"

High speeds leave a driver less time to react, less room to brake, and less chance of surviving the force of a potential crash. Why are our car sales advertisements glorifying speed? Each year in the U.S., more than 300,000 people are injured and more than 12,000 die in speed-related car crashes according to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Perhaps, advertisers should treat unsafe speed the same way they would treat drunk driving or failure to use a seat belt — behaviors they wouldn’t think of showing in a positive light.

Never Leave a Child in a Car

Parked cars get hot, fast – and can be deadly to children. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s. Even a short amount of time in a hot vehicle can be deadly. And a cracked window isn’t enough to prevent heatstroke. Always check the back seat before leaving the car.

2023 Fatality Early Estimates

NHTSA released its latest projections for traffic fatalities in 2023, estimating more miles driven and lower fatality rates compared to 2022. The agency estimates that 40,990 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023, a decrease of about 3.6% as compared to 42,514 fatalities reported to have occurred in 2022. Oregon saw a 2% reduction in traffic fatalities based on preliminary data from 2022 to 2023.