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OSHP focusing on motorcycle safety

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Photo Provided Mike Jackson rides his motorcycle Wednesday near his home in St. Clairsville. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging motorists to practice roadway safety and be cautious of motorcyclists.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — As summer approaches, more motorists will be on the roadways enjoying the sunshine and warm weather, including those riding motorcycles, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol urges drivers to practice roadway safety as this occurs.

May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the patrol wants to alert motorists to the increase in motorcycles. Troopers also remind all drivers to practice roadway safety while behind the wheel.

Lt. Maurice Waddell, commander of the OSHP St. Clairsville Post, said the safety of all motorists is the patrol’s main concern.

According to the patrol last year in District 7, there were 235 motorcycle crashes. Waddell said there were 24 motorcycle crashes in Belmont County and nine in Monroe County. Of those 33 crashes, there were a total of four fatalities.

“In Belmont County, there were three fatalities involving motorcycles and in Monroe (County), there was one,” he said.

So far this year, Waddell said there have been no major accidents involving motorcycles.

The OSHP urges motorcyclists to take a training class, wear safety equipment and ride with the proper endorsements to aid in protecting themselves. And, everyone should always drive sober.

“Being trained and wearing the proper equipment are two ways motorcyclists can be responsible when riding this summer,” Waddell said. “All motorists should share the road and be aware of their surroundings, as well as other vehicles using the roadway.”

Although wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is not required by law in Ohio, Waddell strongly encourages it. However the law does require helmets for riders under the age of 18 and drivers with less than one year of motorcycle experience, he said.

Waddell also warns all motorists to be aware of their surroundings while driving this summer and to be on the lookout for motorcycles.

“The general public — always take a few extra seconds to pay attention before switching lanes or pulling out onto another road. A motorcycle could be coming up the road. We’re going from the winter into the summer and people are not used to seeing motorcycles, so always take a few more seconds to make sure they aren’t either changing lanes on one or pulling out in front of a motorcycle,” he said.

Motorists should give motorcycles a full lane of travel and always look for motorcyclists at intersections and while changing lanes. Waddell said to never follow a motorcycle too closely and always allow plenty of space between vehicles while driving.

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