WASHINGTON — Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, introduced bipartisan legislation on Nov. 20, 2025, that would require states to incorporate motorcycle-specific safety instruction into driver education and driver licensing exams as a condition for receiving certain federal highway safety funds.
The proposal, titled the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Act of 2025, would amend federal law to ensure that driver training includes awareness of motorcyclists and scooter riders, state-specific motorcycle laws — including lane-splitting and lane-filtering rules where applicable — and “share the road” principles. The requirement would take effect two years after enactment.
Motorcycle fatalities remain a persistent traffic-safety challenge nationally and in Michigan. Across the United States, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in 2023, according to federal crash data, representing 15% of all traffic deaths and marking the highest number on record since federal tracking began in 1975. Nationally, motorcyclists are killed at a rate of about 31.4 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, significantly higher than passenger-vehicle occupants.
Michigan recorded 3,056 motorcycle-involved crashes in 2023, including 165 rider deaths and more than 2,300 injuries, according to the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts program. Although motorcycles accounted for just over 1% of all traffic crashes statewide, riders made up 15% of Michigan’s traffic fatalities last year.
Crash patterns are also reflected at the local level. In the four-county region of Manistee, Mason, Lake, and Oceana counties, there were 44 motorcycle-involved crashes in 2023, resulting in two motorcyclist fatalities, based on state crash-mapping data. Oceana County recorded one rider fatality, accounting for 25% of its four total traffic deaths, while Manistee County reported one fatal motorcycle crash — 17% of its six roadway deaths. Mason and Lake counties did not record motorcycle fatalities in 2023. Regional motorcycle crashes accounted for roughly 1.2% of all crashes in the four counties.
The bill has been endorsed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the Motorcycle Industry Council, which say expanding driver education on motorcycle awareness could help reduce crashes involving younger drivers and new riders, according to statements released with the bill.
Peters, co-chair of the Senate Motorcycle Caucus, said enhancing driver education is essential to reducing such incidents.
“Both drivers and motorcyclists need to be equipped with the educational tools to ensure safety on our roads,” Peters said in a statement. “This bipartisan legislation will help save lives, raise awareness about the presence of motorcyclists, and ensure safer travel for all Americans.”
No organized opposition to the measure had emerged publicly as of Friday, and the bill now awaits consideration in committee.
