MICHIGAN (WNEM) – The Michigan Department of State’s (MDOS) annual “Look Twice. Save a Life.” safety campaign kicked off on Thursday, May 1.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is reminding drivers to watch out for motorcycles.
“As motorcyclists return to Michigan’s roads with the warmer weather, it’s a good time to remind every driver to take extra care and watch out for motorcycles,” Benson said. “Motorcycles can be hard to see, so remember to ‘Look Twice. Save a Life.’ Staying alert and being aware will help keep us safe on the road all summer.”
According to MDOS, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning’s Michigan Traffic Crash Facts (MTCF) website reported there were over 3,000 motorcycle crashes across the state in 2023. Of those crashes, 165 were deadly.
The following are the top five counties that had the most motorcycle crashes in 2023, according to MTCF data:
- Wayne County: 515 crashes
- Oakland County: 284 crashes
- Kent County: 199 crashes
- Macomb County: 192 crashes
- Genesee County: 122 crashes
You can find more data, including crash statistics for all of Michigan’s counties, on the MTCF website.
The MTCF also reported that 84% of motorcycle crashes with another vehicle occur on busy streets, and most motorcycle crashes happen when vehicles are turning left. MDOS said this is why “looking twice” is important to reduce the chance of crashes.
MDOS said the majority of crashes with motorcyclists occur Friday through Sunday. Crash data from 2021 to 2023 shows 53% of deadly motorcycle crashes – involving a motorcyclist and another vehicle – happen between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m., and the highest concentration was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A 2023 survey commissioned by MDOS showed there was a 33% increase in drivers who look twice for motorcycles before turning since the start of the “Look Twice. Save a Life.” campaign in 2019.
According to MDOS, drivers between the ages of 18 and 29 report safer driving behaviors and are more likely to say they always slow down near motorcyclists, double-check blind spots, make complete stops, and use turn signals than in 2019. This age group had the greatest gain in looking twice before turns, with a 45% increase.
For more information about the “Look Twice. Save a Life.” campaign, as well as driving tips, can be found on the campaign’s website.
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