One out of every nine U.S. road fatalities accounted for last year involved motorcycle riders. This steady increase in fatalities over the past decade represents one of our Nation's greatest highway safety challenges.

Motorcycle fatalities now account for 11 percent of total road fatalities and have increased each year from a low of 2,116 in 1997 to 4,810 in 2006. So while there has been success in reducing automobile deaths in recent years, this progress is being negated by the rise in motorcycle fatalities, which has more than doubled.

That's why Southern Tier Harley Davidson and Broome County Traffic Safety announced Thursday that they are joining with other federal, State and local highway safety, law enforcement, and motorcycle organizations in proclaiming May 2008 as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.” All motorists are reminded to safely “Share the Road” with motorcycles and to be extra alert when driving to help keep motorcyclists safe.

“With warmer weather here, more motorcycles are back on the roads. Drivers of all vehicles need to be extra alert,” said Larry Brooks, manager of Southern Tier Harley Davidson. “Motorcycles are some of the smallest vehicles on the road so folks in other vehicles need to really look out for them—and to take extra care to safely 'Share the Road'.”

Because of their smaller size, motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle's blind spot. “It's crucial that motorists always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.” said Brooks.

Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle drivers in the event of a crash. Research shows that approximately 80 percent of motorcycle crashes injure or kill a motorcycle rider, while only 20 percent of passenger car crashes injure or kill a driver or passenger in their vehicle.