TDOS Joins Agencies to Urge Drivers & Riders to “Share the Road”

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has once again joined the annual May campaign to encourage motorcycle riders, bicyclists and drivers to “Share the Road,” with a safety festival held Saturday afternoon at Scoreboard Bar and Grill in Nashville. The event began at 2 p.m. The media event scheduled for 5 p.m. was cancelled due to rain.

 

Other agencies involved in Saturday’s festivities included the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, the

Motorcycle Awareness Foundation of Tennessee, Motorcycle Rider Education Program, Tennessee Truckers Association, Walk/Bike Nashville, AARP Senior Driver’s Course, Tennessee Operation Lifesaver, Tennessee Bikers Education Association and Rider’s Edge.

 

“As the weather improves, more motorcyclists and bicyclists are traveling on local and state roadways,” said Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons. “This festival is essential in educating motorists on the how-to’s of sharing the road and reminding motorcyclists to become properly trained before hitting the highway. Our collective goal is to keep all cyclists safe.”  

 

Departing from East (Maryville, Knoxville) and West (Jackson) Tennessee this morning, motorcycle riders descended on Nashville to participate in the annual rider festival. The festival featured a bike show with a $500 “Best of Show” prize, Police Rodeo Riders and Stunt Riders demonstration, as well as a Tennessee Highway Patrol Motor Unit demo. Bike Rodeo and Bike Safety will also be a part of the event, and information on motorcycle rider courses will also be made available.

 

"While motorists are cautioned to look out for motorcyclists or bicyclists, the riders should also help make themselves visible by wearing bright colors and using reflective tape,” stated GHSO Director Kendell Poole. “Our priority is to increase safe riding between all road users and motorcyclists in an effort to reduce the number of fatalities on Tennessee highways.”

 

Nationwide, 2009 was the first year that motorcyclist fatalities decreased since 1997. In Tennessee, the number of motorcyclists killed in crashes increased from 122 in 2009 to 138 motorcycle fatalities in 2010. Statistics for 1998-2010 and a list of Motorcycle Safety Tips are attached to this release.

 

“It is imperative that motorcyclists educate themselves by taking an accredited training course and never ride beyond their skill ability,” said John Milliken, Program Coordinator for the Motorcycle Rider Education Program (MREP). “They are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle occupants. The proper knowledge, training and protective wear will help make motorcyclists safer and more effective on the roads.”  

 

MREP, a Department of Safety and Homeland Security plan, approves courses and instructors across the state. To find out more about the program, go to: http://tn.gov/safety/mrep.htm 

 

Tennessee is also committed to creating safer roads for bicyclists as well. In 2007, the state passed the Jeff Roth and Brian Brown Bicycle Protection Act, commonly referred to as the 3-feet law. It states that a motor vehicle must give a safe zone of no less than 3 feet when passing a cyclist on a road in the state of Tennessee; a violation of this law is a Class C Misdemeanor. 

 

Motorcyclists and bicyclists must also share in the responsibility by following the rules of the road and wearing protective gear. Tennessee law requires the more than 300,000 Tennessee riders and their passengers to wear approved helmets and protective eyewear.

 

The mission of the Motorcycle Awareness Foundation of Tennessee (MAFT) is to remind drivers to stay alert for the less visible motorcycles on the roadways. To find out more information about the MAFT, go to www.maft.us