HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah —
Tis’ the season – for motorcycles that is. Riders from the base and surrounding communities gathered June 14 for the 9th annual “See Me, Save Me” campaign awareness ride.
“The purpose of the ride is to motivate motorists to take a second look, specifically for motorcycle riders, and to share the road with other smaller traffic including bicyclists and pedestrians,” said Allan Woods, Hill AFB’s Motorcycle Safety Program manager. This year’s event included a few hundred motorcycle riders who were led on a circular route through Davis and Weber County by Utah Highway Patrol and other law enforcement.
According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, fatalities among motorcyclists have increased over the past years, while fatalities among motorists have decreased. Vehicles are made with more and more safety features, but on a motorcycle, all you have are your riding skills, your personal protective gear and your mental strategies to protect you. You can only control what you are doing out on the road, Woods said.
Greg Hoffman, Hill AFB chief of safety, said when there’s an accident, it doesn’t really matter whose fault it is. Sometimes it’s the driver and sometimes it’s the rider. However, the end result is usually the same. It’s devastating, he said.
Tips for sharing the road with motorcycle riders:
• Check your blind spots. Really check! If a vehicle can disappear in your blind spot, a motorcycle can really disappear.
• Don’t tailgate motorcycles. They can stop faster than a car.
• Use extra caution at intersections. Many motorcycles are hit by vehicles when they’re turning, both left and right. Look, look, and look again.
• Focus on the road. Distractions can be deadly for you and other roadway users.
In addition, Woods encourages riders to take regularly brush up on their motorcycle safety and riding skills.
Motorcycle Safety Foundation training offered by local vendors throughout the region. Hill AFB also offers MSF courses for base employees.
Visit the UDPS website to find a rider skills training course at http://publicsafety.utah.gov.
