Safety Programs
The Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program includes education and training for motorcycle riders, awareness campaigns for motorists, and enforcement of traffic laws for all road users. Radio PSAs and billboards have been used to raise motorists' awareness of motorcycle safety issues; and a Motorcycle Safety Task Force promotes motorcycle safety across the State. The best way for new riders to ensure that they obtain the right information and coaching is to enroll in a certified Basic Rider Course.
May is Motorcycle Safety Month – And You Can Help Save A Life!
Every year in the state of Maryland, 70 motorcyclists are killed in Motorcycle Safety traffic crashes on average. An additional 1,400 riders and passengers are injured each year on motorcycles on Maryland roads. Almost half of motorcycle crashes don’t involve another vehicle, according to police crash reports, and failure to control speed and impaired riding by motorcyclists are often factors in fatal crashes. Riders can control their risk with knowledge, skills, gear and the right attitude. Motor vehicle drivers also contribute to a number of fatal motorcycle crashes each year – caused when drivers are inattentive, violate the motorcyclists' right of way or drive impaired. In a crash between a car and a motorcycle, the car driver is more likely to be at fault than the motorcyclist, according to Maryland crash data. You can save a life by looking twice for motorcyclists.
Be a Part of the Solution – Join the Campaign to Prevent Motorcycle Crashes!
Maryland’s Motorcycle Safety Program includes education and training for motorcycle riders, awareness campaigns for motorists, and the enforcement of traffic laws for all road users. The MVA works as a part of the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Coalition to promote motorcycle safety across the State, and we need your help. Whether you are a driver or a rider, you can be part of the solution. Here’s what YOU can do:
Check out the tips for drivers and riders below.
Share the campaign messages to “Share the Road” and “Ride Sober” to your Facebook page, Twitter account, post to your website, share by email or print and post it where others can see them!
Tips for Drivers, taken from the Maryland Driver’s Manual:
- Motorcycles are vehicles and their riders have the same rights and privileges as anyone else on the roadway. But in crashes, a motorcyclist is six times more likely to be hurt than a car driver. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and trucks, and it can be harder to judge the speed and distance of an oncoming motorcycle. Violating a motorcyclist's right of way in a crash that causes a serious injury could cost you three points and a $1,000 fine.
- Yield the right-of-way to an oncoming motorcycle when turning left. Violating a motorcyclist’s right of way can result in a citation with significant penalties if you cause a serious injury. Drivers are at fault in just over half of car crashes with motorcycles. Look carefully for motorcyclists at intersections.
- Look twice before changing lanes or merging into traffic. Use your mirrors and look over your shoulder to be sure it is safe before merging or changing lanes. Motorcycles can be hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size. And please use your turn signals to let others know you intend to move over! We all share a common road.
- Give Riders plenty of space. Traffic, weather and road conditions require the motorcyclists to react and maneuver differently. Allow enough room for the motorcyclist to maneuver and enough time for you to adjust.
- Use care when driving near a group of motorcyclists. Motorcyclists participate in organized rides which can involve many motorcycles. Driving around these groups requires communication and patience. If you need to change lanes or reach an exit, signal your intention early and wait for the riders in the group to create a gap for you. Do not merge in between groups or riders unless there is enough space to do it safely.
Tips for Riders:
- Get trained, get licensed. To operate a motorcycle in Maryland you are required to have a motorcycle license. A great way to obtain your motorcycle license is to complete the Basic Rider Training at one of the many motorcycle safety training centers across Maryland. If you are an experienced rider, but don’t have a motorcycle license, you may be able to participate in the Fast Track Licensing program. Prepare yourself my studying the
Maryland Motorcycle Operator’s Manual.
- Ride Sober. Motorcycle riding and alcohol don’t mix. Four out of every 10 riders killed had been drinking, and many had high blood alcohol concentrations. Drinking slows your reaction time, affects your balance, coordination and vision—and increases your risk of crashing. And if you’re caught riding impaired, your bike could be impounded.
- Gear up before you roll out. Wearing properly-fitting motorcycle-specific protective clothing can prevent serious injury in a crash. Over the ankle boots, gloves, a protective jacket and pants and a properly-fitted helmet with face shield or protective eyewear are all part of the full gear package. Choose riding gear that increases your visibility in traffic in addition to providing protection in the event of a crash. Use bright colors and retro-reflective strips or decals, especially at night.
- Make sure your bike is ready to go. Perform an inspection before every ride (here’s a brief video). Your tires are critical to your safety, so make sure they are in good condition and properly inflated.
- Ride so you are seen. There is no one safe place to ride within a lane. Use lane positioning to be seen. Ride with your headlight on and consider using a modulating headlight or adding LED accent lighting.
- Give yourself space and time to react. Allow space for emergency braking or for avoiding a crash. Make your lane moves gradually. Expect the unexpected and pretend that you are invisible to motorists.
- Signal your intentions. Signal before changing lanes. Avoid weaving between lanes. Flash your brake light when you are slowing down and before stopping.
- Be courteous and respect other road users. Being courteous, non-aggressive and cooperative can go a long way in reducing crashes.
Maryland Fast Facts:
- Motorcycle riders aged 21-49 are overrepresented in crashes, compared to rates among all driver types Statewide.
- Nine out of 10 motorcycle crashes involve a male rider.
- Three-quarters of motorcycles passengers involved in crashes are female.
- Motorcycle crashes are serious. Three out of every four motorcycle crashes result in a motorcyclist injury or fatality.
- Motorcycle is a two-way street. Both drivers and riders have a responsibility to share the road safely.
- Motorcyclist fatalities have fallen from the peak a few years ago. Motorcycle fatalities fell in 2011 to 66—7 fewer than the 73 fatalities in 2010 in Maryland. This is the lowest level of motorcycle fatalities since 2003.
- Unfortunately, the total number of crashes remains high. The total number of motorcycle crashes and injuries has not declined at the same rate as fatalities. The difference between a fatal motorcycle crash and a nonfatal crash can be a slight difference in speed or direction. So, the number of crashes that become fatal could easily go back up.
- Motorcycle crashes, injuries and fatalities are most concentrated in the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas. More than 40% of all crashes statewide (42.7%) occur in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford Counties and Baltimore City.
- Crashes between cars and motorcycles are more common in the urban areas in the Baltimore –Washington corridor. A little more than half of all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle.
- In crashes between drivers and riders, the driver is at fault more than half of the time.
- Crashes where only a motorcyclist is reported to be involved make up slightly less than half of all crashes. A small proportion of these crashes are caused by animals and other hazards in the roadway and some causes are unknown, but the largest proportion of motorcyclist-only crashes is caused by rider error.
*Crash data source: State Highway Administration Safety Information Database
Current Motorcycle Laws
As of April 2015:
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
- Helmets: All motorcycle operators and passengers are required to wear a helmet that meets MVA standards. MVA has adopted Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 as its standard for compliant motorcycle helmets.
- Eye protection: A person may not operate a motorcycle unless the motorcycle has a windscreen or the operator wears an approved eye-protective device.
- Turn signals: Motorcycles do not need to be equipped with electric turn signal lamps.
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
- A motorcycle may be equipped with, and an operator may use auxiliary lighting, including blue dot illumination and/or light emitting diodes (LED), provided that the LED are nonblinking, nonflashing, non-oscillating and are not blue or red in color (these colors are typically reserved for emergency vehicles).
OPERATION OF A MOTORCYCLE
- All of Maryland's traffic laws apply to motorcycle operators.
- The operator of a motorcycle may only ride the motorcycle on the permanent and regular seat.
- A passenger can only ride on a motorcycle designed to carry more than one person.
- A person may not carry anything that would prevent keeping both hands on the handlebars.
- A motorcycle is entitled to the full use of a lane and a motor vehicle may not be driven in any manner that would deprive a motorcycle of the full use of a lane.
- A person may not operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic.
- Motorcycles may not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.
DRIVERS' LICENSING
- A Class E license authorizes the licensee to drive a motorcycle.
- A Noncommercial Class M license authorizes the licensee to drive a motorcycle.
- MVA may not issue a Noncommercial Class M license to a person under the age of 18 unless the individual has successfully completed a motorcycle safety course approved by the MVA.
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COURSE
- Any Maryland resident who has a valid Class E or Class M license or learner's permit, or who is eligible for a Class M learner's permit may enroll in the course.
- Completion of the course shall be considered the equivalent of passing the skills and knowledge test required for obtaining a Class M license.
Laws pertaining to motorcycles can be found in the Transportation section of Maryland Annotated Code.
Rider Training
The MVA offers motorcycle rider training courses for new and experienced riders. The courses teach the participants the special skills and mental strategies necessary for responsible motorcycle operation. More than 90% of riders involved in crashes had no formal training, were self-taught or learned from family and friends. More than 100 thousand people have learned to ride a motorcycle with the MVA's Motorcycle Safety Program. Maryland's approved curricula meet or exceed the standards established by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. For more information, please visit the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration's Motorcycle Training site
Highway Maintenance
The mission at the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is to efficiently provide mobility through a safe, well-maintained and attractive highway system that enhances Maryland's communities, economy and environment. The SHA maintains more than 16,000 lane miles of Interstate, primary and secondary roads and more than 2,500 bridges. Safety is the SHA’s number one priority. Thousands of dedicated SHA employees work each day to make sure roadways are safe for all, including motorcyclists. We welcome feedback and information from riders about the condition of Maryland’s roadways. If you find something on your ride that creates an unsafe condition, please let us know about it.
About Motorcycle Helmets
In the event of a crash while riding a motorcycle, a DOT compliant motorcycle helmet can help to minimize head injuries and prevent death due to head trauma. A study conducted for the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), published in 2009, reported that helmeted motorcyclists were less likely to experience facial and head injuries compared to un-helmeted motorcyclists. Helmeted motorcyclists were significantly less likely to experience TBI, according to the report. You can view a copy of the report here.
NHTSA publishes a pamphlet on identifying a helmet that is compliant. You can download the pamphlet here.
NHTSA published a report on performance testing of "novelty" or "beanie" helmets that do not comply with the FMVSS 218 standard. You can view a copy of this report here.
Resources and Links
