The St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program is joining with other states and local highway safety, law enforcement, and motorcycle organizations in proclaiming June as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.”

In 2009, 4,462 motorcyclists were killed and an additional 90,000 motorcyclists were injured.

In St. Lawrence County, the total number of motorcycle collisions has remained stable, but the number of crashes with injuries is up slightly, from 40 in 2008 to 43 in 2009. There were no county fatalities in 2009, but there were a total of 4 motorcycle fatalities in the years 2008 and 2009.

County traffic safety officials are reminding motorists to safely “share the road” with motorcycles and be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe.

Motorcyclists are reminded to make sure that they are visible to motorists and that they follow the rules of the road. All road users are reminded to never drive, ride, walk or bicycle while distracted.

“As the weather improves, more and more motorcyclists are hitting the roads,” said Mary Davison, Traffic Safety Information Specialist for the Traffic Safety Program.

“And with that in mind, pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers of all vehicles need to be extra attentive and make sure they ‘share the road.’ A motorcycle is one of the smallest vehicles on our roads, often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Everyone needs to aggressively look for them before changing lanes or merging with traffic.”

Motorists and bicyclists should perform visual checks for motorcyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before they enter or exit a lane of traffic, and at intersections, he added. Pedestrians should also get into the habit of scanning for motorcyclists who might be hidden by other traffic.

“Motorcyclists have responsibilities, too,” Davison said. “They should obey traffic rules, be alert to other drivers, never ride while impaired or distracted, and always wear a Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant helmet and other protective gear.”

Davison said a motorcyclist is much more vulnerable than a passenger vehicle occupant in the event of a crash. She said research from DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 39 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in traffic crashes.

Davison offered several tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways:

• Remember, a motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle

• Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width—never try to share a lane

• Perform a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or exiting 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 mo¬torcycle – 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

• Allow more following distance - three or four sec¬onds - when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emer¬gency.

• Never tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.

• Never drive while distracted.

Davison said motorcyclists can increase their safety by:

• Avoiding riding in poor weather conditions.

• Wearing brightly colored protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet.

• Using turn signals for every turn or lane change, even if the rider thinks no one will see it.

• Combining hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to themselves.

• Using reflective tape and stickers to increase conspicuity.

• Positioning themselves in the lane where they will be most visible to other drivers.

• Never driving while impaired.