Highway Patrol reminds drivers, motorcyclists to be mindful during warming months
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
May is motorcycle safety awareness month and the Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers to be vigilant of motorcyclists on the roads.
According to Sgt. Kyle Green with the Highway Patrol, between late spring and the early fall is when most crashes involving motorcycles occur. Green said he recommends people pay extra attention while driving, especially when approaching intersections.
"Most of the crashes that we investigate involving motorcycles are individuals and passenger cars that turn left in front of a motorcyclist because they didn't see them," Green said.
According to a press release from the Highway Patrol, preliminary data shows there were 2,459 crashes involving motorcycles in 2023. Of those crashes, 2,141 people were injured and 175 people were killed.
The Missouri Department of Transportation reports that is 1 14% increase from 153 reported fatalities in 2022. That number also is the highest number of motorcyclist fatalities ever reported in Missouri and nearly 50% higher than the average number prior to the removal of Missouri's all-rider law in 2020, according to MoDOT.
Missouri's law states that anyone over the age of 26 is not required by law to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, as long as the individual has health insurance. Green said he recommends all motorcylcists wear a helmet because it could be the difference between life and death.
"If something were to happen and your head impacts the ground or another vehicle it's going to cause substantial injury causing traumatic brain injury or possibly death," Green said. "It's like seatbelts in a vehicle, helmets are the number one priority safety wise for motorcycle riders."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, helmets have proven to be 37% effective in preventing death for riders, and 41% effective for passengers.
Green said he also recommends motorcyclists wear reflective or bright vests that makes them more visible to drivers and said they should double check headlights and taillights.
He also said people on motorcycles should ride responsibly, be aware of their surroundings and refrain from weaving in and out of traffic.
