National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and local law enforcement is advocating for the cause.

The Zanesville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol has advised motorcyclists to ride safe and sober. They also encouraged other motorists on the road to be aware of riders.

“The motorcycle awareness is a two-way street. Obviously, we want vehicles to look out for the motorcycles while they’re driving around, but it’s actually more important for the motorcyclists to look out for other people, anticipate before hand, be looking 10 seconds ahead and just watch, and see, and believe somebody is not going to stop and start taking those actions before you get there,” said Sgt. Kevin Kelley with the Zanesville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “It could save your life.”

In 2016 motorcycle riders were at-fault in 65% of fatal motorcycle crashes and 54% of overall crashes, according to Sgt. Kelley. He said that to ensure safe riding, riders should have proper training.

“Motorcycle Ohio is an Ohio program that trains newer operators, up to experienced operators in different levels of training. The state offers it for $50, it’s offered at multiple locations throughout the state. And I can tell you I don’t care if you’ve been riding one day or 20 years, you can always learn something at these programs,” said Sgt. Kelley.

In 2016 only 25% of the motorcyclists killed in the crashes were wearing helmets.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol joined forces with Fink’s Harley Davidson for their ‘Partners for Safety’ campaign to encourage riders to wear helmets and safety gear while riding.

Cards will be given out (like the one pictured below)  to riders demonstrating proper riding safety. They will have percentage discounts for select merchandise at Fink’s to encourage safety while riding.