Police remind drivers to be alert of motorcycles

May marks national motorcycle awareness month, so police are reminding drivers to be alert.

Police said most motorcycle crashes happen when drivers turn left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, or while changing lanes.

Motorcyclists are also being reminded that Missouri law requires them to wear a helmet and have a proper license.

Last year in Missouri, there were 88 deaths as a result of motorcycle crashes.

The year before that there were 73, and 104 in 2012.

Statewide, Officer Scott Decker with the Columbia Police said drivers need to be aware, and double check their blind spot.

“A few weeks ago I was on Providence by Kentucky, and there was a car that made a sudden lane change into my lane, and I stopped her and talked to her. She admitted that she just absolutely did not check her blind spot, so as motorists, we need to be doing the things that we learned back when we were learning to drive, including signaling, checking our mirrors, and checking our blind spots,” said Decker.

Police said the goal is to always have the number of deaths at zero.