Patrol focuses on motorcycle safety in May during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Joe Lyons •
May 1, 2023
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is bringing awareness to the potential increase of motorcycles on our roadways. May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol would like to remind motorcyclists to ride trained and sober.
From 2018 to 2022, there were 18,980 traffic crashes involving motorcycles resulting in the death of 953 motorcyclists and 13 others. Another 5,296 motorcyclists were injured. Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Summit and Lucas counties accounted for 33 percent of the motorcycle crashes in Ohio.
“Riding a motorcycle is a great way to see the beauty of our state, and as the weather continues to warm up, we expect to see many more motorcyclists on the road,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “We are reminding motorists to look out for motorcycles while traveling, especially at intersections and while changing lanes.”
Taking a training class, wearing safety equipment and riding with proper endorsements will help you protect yourself and others. During the same time period, 50 percent of at-fault motorcycle drivers involved in crashes did not have a motorcycle endorsement on their license.
“Ride responsibly, trained and defensively,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “This means riding with an endorsement, wearing proper safety equipment, all while obeying all traffic laws and never riding impaired.”
Ohio law requires helmets for riders under 18 and drivers with less than one year of motorcycle experience. Passengers on motorcycles must wear helmets when the driver is required to do so.
For more information visit www.motorcycle.ohio.gov. A statistical map detailing citations and other motorcycle-related information can be found here.