Officials share safety tips for motorcyclists, other drivers
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — May is the start of riding season for many motorcyclists in Ohio, which can also mean an increase in crashes and fatalities.
This month also marks National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. With two deadly motorcycle crashes in less than a week, officials are especially urging drivers and motorcyclists to take precautions on the road.
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In the last five years, there have been over 850 motorcycle crashes in Montgomery County. Riders and law enforcement agree that in these warmer months, everyone should be more caution on the roadways.
Norm Kern has been riding bikes for nearly 60 years. He says it's a feeling like no other.
'It's like flying a plane at ground level,' said Kern. 'You bank a corner, it's exciting, it's exhilarating, it's a very mental thing.'
But as fun as riding can be, it can also be extremely dangerous.
Last year, 213 Ohioans were killed in motorcycle-related crashes, according to Motorcycle Ohio.
After two deaths in the Miami Valley in the last week, law enforcement and riders are hoping to spread safety awareness.
Kern says he stays safe while riding by wearing gear.
'Armor jackets, pants, boots, gloves, and of course, we have full coverage helmets,' said Kern. 'And most of us rid with communicators or little Bluetooth communicators.'
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office says the extra gear is needed, especially with such a high risk of injury related to motorcycles in comparison to cars.
'You got a metal frame, you got a seatbelt, you got airbags, those just aren't there on a motorcycle,' said Jeremy Roy, MCSO chief of staff. 'So sometimes that's what's causing a lot of the problems when you have a crash because those safety features just aren't there.'
According to Motorcycle Ohio, a division of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, 78 percent of all motorcycle crashes happen between May 1 and Oct. 31. Alcohol and drugs were involved in 58 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes last year as well.
Most crashes happen at intersections or on the freeway, and nearly all of them involve cars as well, leading officials to remind all drivers to stay alert for others on the roadway.
'Motorcycle safety takes everybody. It takes riders to be smart when they're out there on the road and be safe. And then drivers also have to look out for motorcyclists as well. And that means no distracted driving,' said Judy Converse, Motorcycle Ohio.
Motorcycle Ohio encourages all riders to take a safety course and get a license, not just a permit. For more information on how to get signed up, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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