May is Motorcycle Safety Month

May is Texas Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month. With 781,303 licensed motorcyclists in the state, whether you ride motorcycles or just share the road with them, all Texans can improve the safety of motorcycle riders.

The Texas Department of Public Safety offers the following safety advice for motorcylists:

+Attend a professionally taught motorcycle safety course.

Wear protective equipment, including a helmet whenever riding.

Drive defensively.

Avoid driving while intoxicated.

Avoid speeding.

Operating a motorcycle safely requires the use of learned mental and physical skills, according to Clifton Burdette, coordinator of the DPS Motorcycle Safety Unit.

"Attending a professionally taught motorcycle operator training course is one of the best ways for both experienced and inexperienced riders to improve their safety on the road," he said.

The DPS Motorcycle Safety Unit offers basic and advanced motorcycle operator training in 62 permanent locations and nine mobile sites. Motorcycle riders can locate the course nearest to them by going on-line at the DPS Web site www.txdps.state.tx.us/ msb/.

Last year, 29,141 Texans took either the basic or advanced course, an all-time record number. The basic course may be used to waive the licensing road test, and both of the courses may qualify for ticket dismissal and insurance discounts.

In 2003 (latest statistics available), 323 people in Texas died as a result of motorcycle crashes, with 207 of those (64 percent) not wearing a helmet. While Texas does not require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets, the DPS strongly encourages riders to wear helmets to increase safety and save lives. In order to be exempt from wearing a helmet, a person must be at least 21 years old. They must also have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course or be covered by a health insurance plan providing at least $10,000 in medical benefits for motorcycle-related injuries.

For additional information on motorcycle training, call 512-4242021 or toll-free at 1-800-2925787.