May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

April 30, 2009

Motorists and motorcyclists need to share the road safely

Governor Jim Doyle has designated May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Wisconsin. In his proclamation, Governor Doyle states, "Motorcyclists have the right by law to the safe enjoyment of their vehicles, including the full and equal use of the roadway without encroachment by other vehicles, whether it be on city streets or rural and urban highways." 

Motorcycles are popular statewide for both for recreation and basic transportation. More than 472,000 Wisconsin residents have motorcycle licenses or permits and nearly 328,000 motorcycles are registered in the state, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

"With warmer weather, motorcycles are rapidly returning to our streets and highways. To prevent crashes, motorists need to share the road and watch for motorcycles in traffic, especially at intersections and while making turns or lane changes," says Greg Patzer, manager of the WisDOT Motorcycle Safety Program.

Efforts to prevent fatal motorcycle crashes have shown success. Last year, 88 motorcycle drivers and passengers were killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes compared with 110 deaths in 2007.

"Although deaths in motorcycle crashes decreased by about 20 percent last year, our ultimate goal is zero preventable traffic deaths in Wisconsin. That is the vision of our Zero In Wisconsin traffic safety campaign," says Patzer. "Education and training continue to be our most important tools for improving motorcycle safety. Riding a motorcycle is vastly different than driving a car or truck. To improve their safe driving skills, motorcycle riders, especially those who have not ridden for many years, should consider taking a motorcycle safety course. The demand for these courses is high, but they are well worth the wait. We hope to train more riders than ever this year." 

The Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program in partnership with the state technical colleges has graduated more than 113,000 motorcycle riders since 1982.

For more information about the motorcycle safety program and rider training programs, visit the WisDOT Web site at: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/vehicle/motorcycle/index.htm.

For more information, contact:
Greg Patzer, Motorcycle Safety Program manager
(608) 266-7855, gregory.patzer@dot.wi.gov