Section 5. Motorist education
Overview
When motorcycles crash with other vehicles, the other vehicle driver often violates the motorcyclist’s right-of-way. For example, 2005 FARS data show that in 38 percent of the two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a motorcycle, the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle. Motorcycles and motorcyclists obviously are a smaller visual object than cars or trucks. Other motorists may misjudge the distance and speed of an oncoming motorcycle because of its smaller size. Motorcyclists may not be conspicuous. Other motorists may not expect to see motorcycles on the road and may not be familiar with motorcycle riding practices.
Other vehicle drivers should be educated and reminded to be aware of motorcycles on the road and to drive safely near motorcycles. Many motorcycle rider organizations currently sponsor motorist awareness activities.
Motorist education regarding motorcycles can begin early, through driver education classes, driver licensing manuals, and questions on driver licensing exams. It can be a part of remedial traffic safety courses required for problem drivers, especially those who have been involved in a crash with a motorcycle. It can be reinforced through regular communications campaigns.
Objective: Increase motorists’ awareness of the presence of motorcycles on the road.
Strategy 5.1: Communications – Educate motorists to be more aware of the presence of motorcyclists.
Many States have conducted communications and outreach campaigns to increase other drivers’ awareness of motorcyclists. Typical themes are “Share the Road” or “Watch for Motorcyclists.” Some States build a campaign around Motorcycle Awareness Month in May, early in the summer riding season. Many national, State, and local motorcyclist organizations conduct motorcycle awareness activities and have materials available.
Action steps:
- State motorcycle safety administrators and State highway safety offices create and disseminate effective communications to all drivers on motorcyclist awareness.
- Other State agencies that conduct business with the motoring public, such as State insurance commissioners, create and disseminate effective communications to all drivers on motorcyclist awareness.
- Businesses with fleet drivers create and disseminate effective communications to employees on motorcyclist awareness.
Promising practices:
- Many States designate a motorcycle awareness month or conduct motorcycle awareness campaigns. Recent examples include:
- State and local rider groups promote rider awareness:
- Oregon’s State motorcycle safety program developed a motorcycle awareness presentation for use with civic and business organizations and meetings. For information, contact Team Oregon at team.oregon@oregonstate.edu.
Resources and supporting activities:
Strategy 5.2: Driver education and licensing – Include information on motorcycles in high school driver education curricula, State driver manuals, State driver’s license tests, and State traffic safety courses for problem drivers.
Information on motorcycles should be included in standard automobile driver training and licensing materials and curricula. Motorcycle safety organizations and rider groups can take the lead to review these materials and point out any deficiencies.
Action steps:
- State motorcycle safety administrators and rider groups work with State motor vehicle administrators to review driver manuals and license tests, identify key information regarding motorcycles that should be included, and suggest appropriate additions or changes.
- State motorcycle safety administrators and rider groups review driver education curricula to assure that motorcycles are included appropriately.
- State motorcycle safety administrators and rider groups work with State motor vehicle administrators to review the content of remedial traffic safety courses required for problem drivers, identify key information regarding motorcycles that should be included, and suggest appropriate additions or changes.
- State motorcycle safety administrators and rider groups work with organizations that provide travel information to motorists (such as State tourism or road condition Web sites, AAA, etc.) to notify drivers of motorcycle events and rallies.
Promising practices:
- Nevada and Oregon include information about motorcycles in automobile driver handbooks. Nevada has four questions about motorcycles in the automobile license written test.
- California, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia include motorcycle safety awareness information in their driver education program.
- New Mexico provides motorcycle awareness information and motorcycle rider training information to all annual automobile drivers course instructor update training certification classes. For information, contact the New Mexico Motorcycle Safety Program at davidfsmith4@comcast.net.
- California distributes the MSF’s “A Common Road” kit at no charge to instructors who can arrange to deliver the program in schools.
- GWRRA and other rider groups make presentations to driver education classes on drivers’ awareness of motorcyclists.
Resources and supporting activities:
- Many State driver handbooks are available for review at State motor vehicle department Web sites.
- MSF has prepared a “Sharing the Roadway” insert on motorcycle awareness that is available for automobile driver handbooks.
- MSF’s video “A Common Road” and supporting material are available for use nationwide in high school driver education classes and by companies that employ commercial drivers.
- In 2006 NHTSA developed model language on sharing the road safely with motorcyclists for use in driver education courses, driver manuals, and other communications and information activities.
References and notes for Section 5, Motorist education
NAMS recommendations for States and communities on motorist education.
37. Educate operators of other vehicles to be more conscious of the presence of motorcyclists.
39. Include questions regarding motorcyclists on driver’s license tests and include information in driving manuals.
40. Include the completion of a motorcyclist awareness class in sanctions against motorists found guilty of violating a motorcyclist’s right-of-way.
49. Appropriate sanctions should be applied to those found guilty of contributing to motorcycle crashes. The sanctions, such as mandatory attendance at a motorcycle awareness course, would be designed to expand knowledge of motorcycle issues.
General references on motorist education.
NCHRP (under review), Strategy A7, provides additional discussion and examples.