As warmer weather finally becomes more frequent here in Ohio, we will also see an increase in the frequency of motorcycles sharing the road with other drivers. For this reason, May is designated as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness” month. Safe Communities of Pickaway County asks all drivers to “Watch Out for Motorcycles”, and asks riders to plan to “Ride S.M.A.R.T.”. Teays Valley High School recently held the kick off for Motorcycle Awareness Month, and brought this important message to younger drivers and potential motorcycle riders.
“Motorcycle Safety has been promoted in Pickaway County for the past several years, and we have always focused on the adult rider”, noted Teresa C. Carper, Director for Safe Communities of Pickaway County. “This year, we decided to take our message to our younger adults, and promote this type of safety to our teens.”
As a part of the Student Mentor Program, Carper and her Mentor Student Cody Redman worked to promote motorcycle safety to potential new riders and drivers who will share the road with motorcycles at an event that included the American Motorcycle Association, the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office, and other local law enforcement. At the event, students were given information at an assembly, and met with Safe Communities representatives during their lunch period to pledge to “Watch Out for Motorcycles” and to “Ride S.M.A.R.T.”.
“The purpose of the event was to remind drivers that motorcycles do share the road with other vehicles, and that all of us need to be aware of their presence in order to keep their safety in mind. Furthermore, all riders have the opportunity to take a cost effective course in motorcycle riding through Motorcycle Ohio, and improve their overall riding skills.
The “Ride S.M.A.R.T.” program stands for riding “Sober”, “Motorcycle endorsed”, “Alert”, with the “Right equipment”, and “Trained”. For more information on this program, visit the Motorcycle Ohio website at www.motorcycle.ohio.gov . For more information on the importance of motorcycle safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at www.nhtsa.gov .
