SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and public safety officials are reminding drivers and motorcycle drivers to stay alert on the road.
Shreveport police said motorcycle wrecks have been a recurring problem this year, including several fatalities.
“Motorcycle wrecks have been something that we have seen this year. We unfortunately have had a couple of fatalities involving motorcycles. And that’s something we see every year in our city,” said Cpl. Chris Bordelon with the Shreveport Police Department.
Visibility and awareness
Bordelon said motorcycles don’t make as much noise as cars in most cases and often hide in blind spots of vehicles. He said drivers need to be aware of where motorcycles are and where they could be.
Motorcycle safety also extends to the drivers of motorcycles, Bordelon said. He said motorcyclists should make sure their bike is visible and loud enough so other drivers can hear them coming.
Bordelon also said motorcycle drivers need to be careful on roads with potholes, which can have catastrophic, and sometimes fatal results.
Braking and positioning
Bordelon said motorcycle drivers need to be aware of their stopping capability and how they position themselves around other cars.
He said motorcyclists should understand power braking so that if their brakes lock up, they are able to regain control of the motorcycle.
Bordelon said it is important for motorcycle drivers to maintain proper distance when following another car to avoid situations where they have to lay the bike down. He also said motorcyclists should understand lane positioning and know where cars’ blind spots are, since another driver may not be able to see them based on their positioning.
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