Pflugerville Declares May Motorcycle Safety And Awareness Month

PFLUGERVILLE, TX —in 2018, the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) reported 13,158,100 American households with motorcycle ownership, and transportation experts estimate motorcycle sales continue rising as more people opt for more fuel efficient options for getting around. As these numbers grow, so do the number of motorcyclists on the roadways.

In an effort to highlight the dangers associated with riding motorcycles and to encourage motorists to exercise extra caution around motorcyclists, Pflugerville's Mayor Gonzales declared May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month. Each May, the City, motorcycle enthusiasts and groups across the nation recognize Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and promote the tenets of safe driving.

Motorcyclists Are at Great Risk on Our Roadways.:

• With thousands of deaths each year, motorcyclists are significantly overrepresented in traffic crashes and fatalities.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists accounted for nearly 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2015, while motorcycles make up just 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States.
• In 2015, 4,976 motorcyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes – an 8 percent increase from the 4,594 killed in 2014. And more than 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in motor vehicle crashes.
• Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 27 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash, and 5 times more likely to be injured.
• Even the smallest momentary lapse in a vehicle driver’s awareness can result in the death of an unseen motorcyclist.

It's important for motorists to know motorcyclists are subject to the same traffic laws as other vehicles on the roadways, and those traveling by motorcycle should always wear a helmet and other protective gear, as well as turning on their headlights and driving defensively when riding their bikes, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.