May is MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH, and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office wants to get you in the know on what motorists can do to keep the roads safe.
KNOW THE FACTS
In Tennessee during 2025, there were
crashes involving a motorcycle.
Improper use of a vehicle’s rear-view and side-view mirrors contributes to collisions, particularly with smaller vehicles like motorcycles.
Roughly 40% of the vehicle’s outer perimeter zones are hidden by blind spots, improper adjustment, or the lack of rear-view and side-view mirrors can have dire consequences for motorcyclists.
Because motorcycles are SMALLER than most vehicles, they can be difficult to see.
Their size can also cause other drivers to misjudge their speed and distances. The size of a motorcycle can also contribute to the lack of understanding that a motorcycle can be in the driver’s BLIND SPOT.
Motorcyclists can be easily hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. It is useful to always look for motorcycles by CHECKING YOUR MIRRORS AND BLIND SPOTS before switching lanes.
Always SIGNAL YOUR INTENTIONS before changing lanes or merging with traffic.
This allows motorcyclists to anticipate your movement and find a safe lane position.
ALLOW FOR MORE FOLLOW DISTANCE, three or four seconds – when following a motorcycle.
This gives the motorcycle rider more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
Do your part to keep EVERYONE
safe on our roads.
Learn more from these resources:
