RIDE SMART - DRIVE SMART

Despite recent significant traffic fatality reductions in Ohio, traffic safety advocates are increasingly concerned that motorcycle fatalities have risen 35 percent statewide in the last three years. Just last year there were 213 motorcycle fatalities in Ohio.

Curbing that upward motorcycle crash trend is at the core of the new Motorcycle Safety Coalition established today during a meeting at the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Ravenna Post.

Joining the Patrol in the Coalition that covers a seven-county area in northeastern Ohio are Safe Communities and local law enforcement. The counties included in the initiative are Lorain, Medina, Summit, Stark, Portage, Trumbull and Mahoning. These counties are being targeted due to the volume of motorcycle-involved crashes in their respective areas. The goal of the Coalition is to reduce the number of motorcycle-involved crashes. This will be accomplished through education and enforcement.

Safe Communities will use education at events that are attended by motorcycle enthusiasts. Law enforcement will use enforcement programs targeting motorcyclists in areas identified as a, "high risk," area. Each agency will identify corridors with increased motorcycle traffic due to events taking place, such as bike nights and bike runs, and will employ high-visibility enforcement in the identified areas. The high-visibility enforcement will be funded through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.

This combined effort of local law enforcement, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Safe Communities will result in an increased awareness of motorcycle safety and ultimately a reduction in the number of people being seriously injured or killed in crashes involving motorcycles.

To further promote safe motorcycling and motorist awareness of motorcycle safety issues, Patrol troopers are proud to be partnering with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). The partnership with the AMA provides meaningful avenues to promote awareness toward the three key safety messages stressed in our nationally recognized Ride Smart. Drive Smart. program.

The Motorcycle Safety Coalition wants to help make this a safer riding season. Remember to always Ride Trained, Ride Licensed, and Ride Sober.