Motorcycle season is upon us. With May being National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, several government facilities have joined forces to promote safe practices among motorcyclists.
According to PennDOT, in 2021 there were 3,399 motorcycle crashes, 215 of them resulting in death. To bring this number down, the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) is offering several courses to help PA motorcyclists develop safe riding skills and will allow cyclists with a permit to earn their licenses.
According to a press release, “The courses include the Basic Rider Course (BRC); the Intermediate Rider Course (IRC); the Advanced Rider Course (ARC); and the 3-Wheeled Motorcycle Basic Rider Course (3WBRC). Successful completion of a basic or intermediate course waives the requirement to take a skills test at a PennDOT Driver License Center and automatically earns the permit holder their motorcycle license. Motorcycle permit holders who complete a 3-wheel basic course will earn a motorcycle license with restriction prohibiting the operation a of 2-wheel motorcycle.”
“Enrolling in a free safety training class can help motorcycle enthusiasts of all skill levels refresh their skills or even learn some new techniques,” said Major Robert Krol, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol.
The press release also offers safety tips to motorists when sharing the road with motorcyclists, these include:
“Watch for motorcycles. Be aware that motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see. Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and at intersections.
Allow more following distance: leave at least four seconds of distance between a motorcycle and your vehicle.
Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic.
Respect a motorcycle as a full-size vehicle with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway.
Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width as the motorcyclist needs the room to maneuver safely in all types of road conditions.
Never drive impaired.”
Tips for Motorcyclists to avoid crashing include:
“Be seen by wearing reflective clothing and put reflective tape on your protective clothing and motorcycle. Also, wear face or eye protection and a DOT-approved helmet.
Use common sense by riding sober, obeying all speed limits, and allowing enough time to react to potentially dangerous situations.
Know your motorcycle and conduct a pre-ride check.
Practice safe riding techniques and know-how to handle your motorcycle in adverse road and weather conditions.”
“As more and more people enjoy the fun and excitement of motorcycling, it is in the best interest of both motorcyclists and motorists to share the road safely. Staying aware while driving or riding, obeying speed limits, and being responsible will help lower fatalities and injuries from unnecessary crashes,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian.
PennDOT has teamed up with several third-party motorcycle training providers to offer these free safety training classes for PA motorcyclists. For information on class availability, contact training providers directly. A list of training providers can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/PAMSPOpen.
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