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Kingsport Police Department
David Quillin, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 |
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NEWS RELEASE | |||
SUBJECT: | Kingsport Police Promote Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month | ||
DATE: | May 8, 2020 | ||
GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
The Kingsport Police Departmentis partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to promote motorcycle safety during the month of May, which is nationally recognized as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Agencies participate by providing information and increasing awareness in their communities about the importance of sharing the road and looking twice for motorcyclists.
Motorcyclists will be out in force as the weather gets warmer, which is why it is the perfect time for us to remind the community about the vulnerability of motorcycle riders. All motorists need to know how to anticipate and respond to motorcyclists to avoid crashes. According to the THSO, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 27 TIMES more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash, and FIVE TIMES more likely to be injured. Here are a few safe driving tips to prevent crashing with a motorcycle: • Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, its operator still has all the rights of the road as any other motorist. Allow the motorcycle the full width of a lane at all times. • Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic. • If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Motorcycle signals are often non-canceling. Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding. • Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections. • Always allow ample follow distance – three to four seconds – when driving behind a motorcycle. This gives riders more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. According to preliminary data, there were 2,701 motorcycle crashes in Tennessee last year. Of those crashes, 166 were fatal. Remember to Look Twice, and do your part to keep everyone safe on our roads. For additional information on motorcycle safety, please visit: https://tntrafficsafety.org/look-twice or |
RELEASING OFFICER | ||
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) ThomasMPatton |