The department has released a set of tips for drivers to be more aware of motorcycles and to help increase safety on local roadways.
The Mt. Laurel Township Police Department is promoting May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2015, while motorcycles make up just 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States.
Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 27 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash, and five times more likely to be injured.
In 2015, 4,976 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes — an 8 percent increase from the 4,594 killed in 2014. More than 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in motor vehicle crashes.
The Mt. Laurel Township Police Department asks drivers to follow these safety tips to be more aware of motorcycles and to help keep all on local roadways safe:
•Slow down, assess surroundings, and don’t rush when crossing intersections, entering the roadway from a parking lot or driveway or turning left. Always give enough time to thoroughly check for motorcyclists.
•When turning left, ensure there is enough time and space for the motorcyclist to clear the roadway before initiating the left turn.
•Don’t follow motorcyclists too closely and allow sufficient braking cushion between the vehicle and the motorcycle in front to give the vehicle enough room to come to a complete stop without a collision. Remember, a motorcyclist’s brake lights might not always be engaged when a motorcycle decelerates.
•Always double-check blind spots when changing lanes or starting to entering or exiting the roadways. Adjust rear- and side-view mirrors and use them properly.
•If someone a driver knows uses a motorcycle, police ask to tell him or her to always wear a helmet — even if the law doesn’t require it. According to NHTSA, an estimated 740 lives could have been saved in 2015 if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.
