As Memorial Day weekend begins, more drivers are expected to hit Louisiana roads than ever before. The busy travel period also lines up with Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, bringing renewed focus to motorcycle safety across the state.
Scotty Drake with the Motorcycle Awareness Campaign (MAC) joined Talk 107.3 to remind drivers that awareness saves lives. MAC is a nonprofit organization that works to reduce crashes involving motorists and motorcyclists. Its mission centers on preventing right-of-way violations that often lead to serious accidents.
Motorcycle Fatalities Show Improvement
According to data shared during the interview, information from LSU’s Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety showed motorcycle fatalities dropped 25% in 2024 compared to the previous year. While the decline is encouraging, safety advocates say there is still work to do.
One phrase continues to appear after many motorcycle crashes.
“I just didn’t see them.”
Safety experts say drivers often miss motorcycles because they are not actively looking for them. Motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles. They can remain hidden in blind spots longer and may not stand out in traffic the same way larger vehicles do.
Louisiana Drivers Asked to Stay Alert
The Motorcycle Awareness Campaign encourages drivers to:
- Watch carefully for motorcycles at intersections
- Use turn signals consistently
- Avoid distracted driving
- Put cell phones away while driving
- Leave extra following distance behind motorcycles
- Double-check blind spots before changing lanes
Advocates say small actions behind the wheel can prevent life-changing crashes.
MAC also distributes free safety materials across Louisiana, including yard signs, bumper stickers, billboards, and public service messages to remind drivers to watch for motorcycles.
As Memorial Day travel ramps up, safety leaders have one message for Louisiana motorists: stay alert, slow down, and watch for motorcycles. One extra second of attention can save a life.