As more riders take to the roads, the St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program is concerned about a rising trend in injuries and deaths in motorcycle accidents.

The recent summery weather has brought out scores of motorcycles on Sr. Lawrence County highways. Even though motorcyclists feel the exhilaration of being out in the air, they are more vulnerable in the event of a crash.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 39 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in traffic crashes.

Nationwide, motorcyclist fatalities increased slightly in 2010 to 4,502, accounting for 14 percent of total fatalities for the year. This increase in motorcycle fatalities for the year resumes the unfortunate overall increasing trend over the last 13 years, an upward trend that saw only a single one-year decline, in 2009, when 4,462 motorcyclists were killed. In St. Lawrence County in 2010, there was a slight increase in the total number of crashes, with 38 of the 49 collisions involving fatal or personal injury.

In response to this increase, the St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program is reminding everyone to safely “share the road” with motorcycles, and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe.

Changing the driving habits of motorists and motorcyclists alike will help decrease the numbers of motorcyclists killed and injured in crashes. 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.

Said Mary Davison, St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Specialist, “A motorcycle is one of the smallest vehicles on our roads, often hidden in a car or truck’s blind spot. Every driver needs to aggressively look for them before changing lanes or merging with traffic.”

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

Davison reminds all road users that, “Motorcyclists have responsibilities, too.

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

The St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program offers tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways.

• 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.

• Check 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 motorcycle. 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 seconds - when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.

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

• Never drive while distracted.

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.

Those training for a motorcycle license should consider taking a course that has been approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and Department of Motor Vehicles (NYSDMV). For riders who meet the NYSDMV conditions, the NYSDMV will waive the road test requirement for those who successfully complete an approved course.

More information about registering for the course can be found on the MSF web site at http://www.nysmsp.org/ or by calling the MSF toll-free at (800) 446-9227.