Red Bank Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office to promote Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Agencies participate by providing information and increasing awareness in their communities about the importance of sharing the road and looking twice for motorcyclists.
"May is motorcycle awareness month and as summer approaches and the weather grows warmer, more motorcyclists will be traveling the roadways. Motorists need to know how to anticipate and respond to motorcyclists to avoid crashes.
Keep in mind that motorcycles have a narrower profile than automobiles and can be very difficult to see, so stay alert. It can be difficult for a driver in a car to accurately judge the speed of an approaching motorcycle.," said Sergeant Rusty Aalberg. “In 2023 there were 194 crashes involving a motorcycle in Hamilton County. Through March of 2024, there have been 41 motorcycle-involved crashes in Hamilton County.
Here are a few safe driving tips to prevent crashing with a motorcycle:
• Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, its operator still has all the rights of the road as any other motorist. Always allow the motorcycle the full width of a lane.
• Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Motorcycle signals are often non-canceling. Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding.
• Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections.
• Always allow ample follow distance - three to four seconds - when driving behind a motorcycle. This gives riders more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
For more information, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org/motorcycles.