Motorcycle Safety Awareness
Every day, Ride Smart Florida wants to highlight the importance of Motorcycle Safety.
Too many motorcyclists in Florida have lost their lives in motorcycle-related crashes in recent years! A motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s
blind spots. Take an extra moment to look for motorcycles.
Look Twice For Motorcycles
Motorist actions can impact the safety of motorcyclists greatly! A large portion of motorcycle crashes involve two key components – poor speed and spatial judgment of other drivers and poor motorcyclist
conspicuity.
Sharing the roads with thousands of bikers requires special attention:
- Double-check for traffic intersections before you turn or pull out.
Always check your blind spots before changing lanes.
- Treat motorcyclists with the same respect you give other motorists.
- Leave at least a four-second distance between your car and the motorcycle in front of you. Note when a motorcycle passes any point in the road.
- When passing a motorcycle, give a full lane to the motorcycle.
- Keep a watchful eye at all times; a motorcyclist may be closer than you think.
- Don’t drive distracted! Distracted driving is anything that takes your attention away from the primary task of driving.
- Remember to yield the right-of-way to motorcyclists.
Things to do:
- Remain alert and vigilant on the roads.
- Avoid driver fatigue and the additional pressure it places on your vision.
- Avoid driver distractions and remember that the road and road users need all of your attention.
- Do not repeatedly fix your gaze for more than a couple of seconds on any single object.
- Keep your eyes moving and scan, scan, scan…!
Source: https://www.msf-usa.org/
Ride Responsibly
Motorcycle crashes frequently involve a combination of high-risk behaviors by motorcyclists or motorists. These behaviors include riding or driving without a valid license or endorsement or while under the
influence of alcohol, deciding not to use a safety device such as a helmet or safety belt, or speeding. Unfortunately, these factors frequently occur in combination with one another.
There are inherent risks when riding a motorcycle, and motorcyclists accept these risks when riding. Motorcyclists also have a duty to exercise good judgment and ride responsibly. Motorcyclists who manage risk well are those who have the knowledge,
skills, attitude, values, and habits to be responsible riders.
Florida Motorcycle Laws:
- Are you required to have a motorcycle endorsement to ride in Florida? Yes, motorcycle endorsements are required 322.03(4): A person may not operate a motorcycle unless he or she holds a driver license that authorizes such operation, subject to the appropriate restrictions and endorsements. A person may operate an autocycle, as defined in s. 316.003, without a motorcycle endorsement. Learn More
- Does Florida have a helmet law? Yes and no.. A rider may choose not to wear a helmet when operating a motorcycle only if the rider is over the age of 21 and covered by an insurance policy providing at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding upon a motorcycle. All riders, under the age of 21, must wear a helmet at all times when operating or riding on a motorcycle. 316.211(3b): Notwithstanding subsection (1), a person over 21 years of age may operate or ride upon a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear securely fastened upon his or her head if such person is covered by an insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash while operating or riding on a motorcycle. Learn More
- View more Florida Motorcycle Laws
Campaign Materials
Printed Materials
Motorist Safety Tip Poster (18 x 30)
Promotional Materials
Several brochures and media files are available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and
the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) to educate the public on rider safety, safety helmets, alcohol awareness, and sharing the road.
Share the Road
- FLHSMV Share the Road
- Motorist Awareness (Motorcycle Safety Foundation)
Posters and Brochures
Other Media Materials
Looking for one of our brochures, posters, or previous campaign materials? You can find them and Public Service Announcements in one convenient location on our website: Media