05/14/2026
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Michigan, and it’s a reminder that every rider, passenger, driver, and family member has a role to play in making our roads safer. As warmer weather arrives and more motorcycles return to Michigan highways and city streets, awareness becomes more important than ever. One second of distraction can change a life forever.
Across the United States, 6,228 motorcyclists lost their lives in traffic crashes in 2024. While national numbers slightly improved from the previous year, Michigan sadly saw an increase in motorcycle fatalities. In 2024, 168 motorcyclists were killed on Michigan roads, and thousands more were injured. These are not just statistics — they are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, friends, and neighbors whose lives were forever changed.
Motorcyclists face unique dangers every time they ride. According to safety studies, motorcycle riders are far more vulnerable in crashes than occupants of passenger vehicles. Speeding, distracted driving, alcohol impairment, unsafe lane changes, and failure to check blind spots continue to be major contributing factors in serious and fatal crashes.
This month is about more than awareness — it’s about action.
For riders:
• Always wear a helmet and protective eyewear
• Ride sober and stay focused
• Use headlights and signals to stay visible
• Avoid speeding and ride defensively
• Keep your motorcycle properly maintained
• Stay alert for road hazards and changing weather conditions
For drivers:
• Look twice before changing lanes or turning
• Always check mirrors and blind spots
• Give motorcycles extra following distance
• Be especially careful at intersections
• Never drive distracted or impaired
• Remember motorcycles can appear farther away than they really are
Michigan’s message this year is simple but powerful: “Look Twice. Save a Life.”
A motorcycle may be smaller than a car, but the life on it matters just as much. A few extra seconds of patience and attention can prevent devastating accidents and save families from heartbreak.
Helmet use continues to save lives every year. Safety studies estimate helmets are 37% effective in preventing motorcycle operator fatalities and even more effective in reducing severe head injuries. Wearing the proper safety gear is one of the easiest ways riders can protect themselves every time they hit the road.
This Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, let’s all do our part to create safer roads across Michigan. Whether you ride on two wheels or drive on four, we all share the same responsibility: watch out for one another, stay alert, and get home safely.
Look twice. Stay aware. Save lives. 🏍️
