Each year, May is recognized nationwide as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. May is a great time to ride, with warm weather and sunshine well underway here in Florida. During this time, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) puts a spotlight on motorcycle safety, highlighting the role each of us plays while sharing the road.

Whether you’re walking, biking, driving, or riding a motorcycle, you are responsible for following the rules of the road, and your actions should be as predictable as possible.

Motorcyclists

• Ensure you and your bike are road ready.
  • All motorcyclists must have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license.
  • FDOT encourages motorcyclists to wear a helmet, proper clothing, and protective shoes. You can’t predict a crash, but you can protect yourself if one occurs.
  • Check your bike’s tire pressure, tread depth, hand and foot brake responsiveness, headlights, signal indicators, fluid levels, and any signs of oil or gas leaks before you ride.
• Follow the speed limit.
• Be predictable. Do not weave or split lanes. Use your turn signals or hand signals.
• Check the weather. Rain makes roads more slippery.

Drivers

• Share the road. Motorcyclists have the same right to use the road as other vehicles.
• Be aware of your surroundings and always look twice for motorcycles.
• Leave space between you and any vehicle in front of you — especially motorcycles.
• Drive the speed limit. Speeding increases the risk and severity of crashes.
• Be predictable and use your turn signals.

Each time you get on the road, you should be sober, alert, and distraction-free. Remember, no one is invincible, and our actions on the road have real consequences. Look out for yourself and others so we can all get home safely. For more information on motorcycle safety, visit fdot.gov/safety/motorcyclesafety.shtm.