HOW CLOSE DOES A MOTORCYCLE HAVE TO BE BEFORE YOU SEE IT?

Like non-motorized road users, motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable in the event of a crash and generally have less protection than occupants of vehicles. In preliminary 2021 data, there were 159 motorcyclist fatalities on Missouri roadways, accounting for 16% of all traffic fatalities in the state. Other motorists can help improve the safety of motorcyclists by always paying attention and looking twice for motorcyclists, as they are more susceptible to being hidden in a vehicle's blind spots or simply being overlooked. Passenger and Commercial vehicle drivers should remember the following:

Motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway.
Allow the motorcyclist a full lane width. Do not share the lane.
Missouri law requires all motorcycle riders under age 26 or anyone operating under an instruction permit to wear a DOT-compliant helmet.

For their part, motorcyclists should always wear a helmet and commit to operating at appropriate speeds while also never operating their bike while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Stats & Facts

81%

Of 2021 motorcycle crashes resulted in the injury or death.

98%

Of the people who died in 2021 motorcycle related crashes on Missouri roads were the motorcycle riders.

58%

Of all motorcycles involved in 2021 Missouri fatal crashes collided with another motor vehicle in transport.

38%

Increase in the likelihood of death if a rider is not wearing a helmet.

Motorcycle Awareness

Featured Program: Missouri Motorcycle Safety Program

The Missouri Motorcycle Safety Program (MMSP) is a partnership with the Missouri Safety Center out of Warrensburg, MO. The mission of the MMSP is to provide quality motorcycle rider education and enhance motorcycle rider safety to the citizens and visitors of the State of Missouri. Learn more about this program by visiting the MMSP website.

Videos on YouTube

Be a Highway Hero.

Watch for Motorcycles.

Motorcycle Awareness Month.

Watch for Motorcycles.

Look Twice for Motorcyclists

Motorcycle Awareness

Download Campaign Materials

Additional Resources

Motorcycle Note

Missouri law requires all motorcycle riders under age 26 or anyone operating under an instruction permit to wear a DOT-compliant helmet.

RSMO 302.026

Get Up to Speed on Motorcycles

To get up to speed on motorcyclists’ behaviors and what vehicle drivers can do to keep the roads safe for our two-wheeled friends, visit the link below.

Safety Tips

Related Campaigns

Pedestrian Safety Awareness Campaign

It’s important to raise awareness of the dangers to pedestrians, and provides leadership, expertise, and resources to Missourians to reduce deaths and injuries in these crashes.

Speed Awareness Campaign

According to NHTSA, a crash on a road with a speed limit of 65 mph or greater is more than twice as likely to result in a fatality than a crash on a road with a speed limit of 45 or 50 mph and nearly five times as likely as a crash on a road with a...