May is 'Motorcycle Safety Awareness' month

Remember motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any motor vehicle on the roadway.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and it is a national initiative and this year's theme is aimed at getting motorists to "Look twice to save a life. Motorcycles are everywhere."

More than 560,000 Michigan residents have a motorcycle license, or endorsement, and approximately 239,000 motorcycles are registered according to the Michigan Secretary of State's office.

As the weather warms up and gas prices rise, make sure you look twice to save a life, especially at intersections and while making turns and lane changes.

According to recent figures by the state, about 40 percent of Michigan motorcycle fatalities are unlicensed - or unendorsed - riders.

Drivers are asked to remember that motorcyclists need a full lane width - never try to share a lane. Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic, and don't be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle as their turn signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off.

And finally, never tailgate a motorcyclist and allow for adequate stopping distance when behind a motorcycle.

Ronald Dwyer is an independent insurance agent licensed in Michigan for Home - Auto – Motorcycle - Watercraft - Business Insurance. He can be reached at rondwyer@roninsureme.com or 248-390-6345. His website is http://www.roninsureme.com or Twitter @ronalddwyerins Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dwyerinsurance / Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ronalddwyer