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June 15, 2023 - On Monday, June 19, motorcyclists across Louisiana will participate in national Ride to Work Day, a day to celebrate the two-wheeled machines that take to the open road and the men and women who drive them.
The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission reminds motorcyclists to always wear a helmet, obey all traffic laws, and never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“The key to celebrating Ride to Work Day is to safely get back home at the end of the day,” LHSC Executive Director Lisa Freeman said.
In Louisiana, anyone riding a motorcycle must wear a helmet that bears a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) symbol, which certifies that the helmet meets safety standards. Numerous studies show that wearing a helmet dramatically increases a motorcyclist’s chances of surviving a crash.
In 2021, 86 motorcycle riders were killed in crashes in Louisiana, a 4.9% increase from 2020, according to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU. Of those 86 riders who died, 30 had been drinking, the statistics show.
“If you have taken any substance that alters your senses, you should not be on a motorcycle,” Freeman said. “That goes for alcohol, illegal drugs, and even prescription drugs.”
Motor vehicle drivers also have a role in making Ride to Work Day a success.
“Many crashes occur because someone in a car simply didn’t see someone on a motorcycle,” Freeman said. “Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see, so car drivers must be vigilant behind the wheel in watching for motorcycles. Sharing the road means giving motorcycles respect and a little extra room on the road.”
For more information on motorcycle safety: Please visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles; en Español, https://www.nhtsa.gov/es/seguridad-vial/seguridad-con-motocicletas.
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