(JUNEAU, Alaska) – Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) reminds motorists and motorcyclists alike during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to “share the road” in order to help prevent motorcycle crashes, deaths and injuries on all Alaska roads.
“Motorcyclists will be out in force as the weather gets warmer, which is why May is the perfect month to promote Motorcycle Safety Awareness,” said Tammy Kramer, DOT&PF Alaska Highway Safety Office Administrator. “Fatal crashes with motorcycles are on the rise, and helmet usage is on the decline. We all need to be more aware of motorcyclists in order to save lives.”
There have been six fatalities involving motorcyclists across Alaska this year. The state averages nearly nine motorcycle deaths per year.
Nationally, motorcyclist deaths account for 15 percent of all highway fatalities, despite representing only three percent of registered vehicles. In 2012, 4,927 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes, a continued increase from 2011 (4,630).
Helmet usage is also on the decline nationwide, dropping from 66 percent of motorcyclists wearing helmets in 2011, to only 60 percent in 2012. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 1,699 lives were saved in 2011 because of proper helmet usage, but another 781 lives could have been saved if helmets had been worn.
Alaska DOT&PF advises that motorcyclists take precautions to remain safe on the road and can increase their safety by following these steps:
Drivers can also do their part to share the road by following these safety tips:
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 35 communities along 3,500 marine miles, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”
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