Milan police promote Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

MILAN, Tenn. — As temperatures continue to rise, more motorcyclists are hitting the road. Now, the Milan Police Department has joined a national campaign to help prevent motorcycle accidents.

The month of May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month across the country, and Milan police have partnered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to help prevent crashes.

“Whether it’s the operator of the motor vehicle or the operator of the motorcycle, we would like for everybody to use caution and do their part in making sure we don’t have any accidents on the roadway,” said Lt. Chris Vandiver with the Milan Police Department.

The “Share the Road” campaign isn’t just about bikers practicing caution but also other drivers taking the time to look twice.

“That’s the same thing with checking in your blind spot,” Vandiver said. “If you’ll just look over that shoulder twice, a lot of times you’ll pick up a movement better than you would if you just look once.”

Hell Bent Custom Cycles owner Jere Booher says distracted drivers are his biggest fear while riding his bike.

“Put your phones down and pay attention. Please put your phones down and pay attention,” Booher said. “[There is] very little protection on a motorcycle, and we put a lot of trust in all the drivers around us to make sure they are paying attention and appreciate our lives like they would their own family’s lives.”

With nearly 8 million motorcycles on roadways across the country, law enforcement says wearing a helmet will increase a rider’s chance of survival during an accident.

“The numbers show had the operator been wearing a helmet that it could have had their lives saved,” Vandiver said.

Wearing bright clothing and using hand turn signals are also recommended to increase awareness of other drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2014 motorcycle crashes accounted for 14 percent of all highway fatalities.