In its continuing effort to reduce the number of crashes of motorcyclists with other vehicles, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is releasing its latest public education and awareness program for car drivers and other motorists.
“A key part of our mission is advocating a safer riding environment,” said Dean Thompson, director of communications at the MSF. “In the majority of crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle, the other vehicles driver violated the motorcyclists right-of-way, too often with serious consequences.”
Titled “Intersection,” the newest MSF Training Systems traffic safety program is designed to educate all roadway users how to share the road safely with motorcyclists. The program is part of the MSFs “Host-an-Event” series of self-contained learning modules that include all the materials needed for any interested party to present a specific topic to an audience in under an hour.
“Intersection” is not only the title of the new MSF Host-an-Event program on sharing the road, but also the title of a unique 13-minute film included with the curriculum materials. The film, presented on DVD, highlights personal stories from the perspectives of all those involved in the collision between a car and motorcycle at a typical city intersection. Through its depiction of real-world scenarios, it is intended to increase a motorists awareness of motorcyclists to help minimize risks for both riders and drivers.
The DVD is customized into three versions for three distinct audiences: one for teens, another for adults and general driving community, and a third for commercial drivers. The new program provides specific information for each of these audiences about what they can do to help reduce their risks of being involved in a crash. The teen version is perfect for inclusion in driver education programs.
The MSF Host-an-Event offering includes everything a person needs to facilitate a discussion on sharing the road with motorcyclists to any of these audiences all in one box – a Leaders Guide, Participants Guides, Quick Tips brochures and the DVD in both English and Spanish languages and subtitles are all provided.
In the development of its new research-based curriculum, the MSF sought input from a number of diverse organizations, agencies and individuals in the traffic safety and rider education and training community. Input was received from those overseeing and working with state motorcycle programs, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the American Motorcyclist Association, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, the National Safety Council, insurance firms, law enforcement and other safety professionals.
An edited version of the new film can be seen on a new Web site, ForCarDrivers.com , created for non-motorcyclists being introduced by the Foundation in conjunction with the release of “Intersection” to further highlight the importance of sharing the road. ForCarDrivers.com also includes a variety of safety tips and strategies for drivers, motorist awareness materials available from the MSF, and links to other traffic safety organizations.
In addition to the new sharing the road program and Web site, Thompson outlined the Foundations key messages for car drivers that could save a riders life:
Look For Motorcyclists: Use your eyes and mirrors to see whats around, and check the blind spots when youre changing lanes or turning at intersections. Look, and look again.
Focus on Driving: Hang up the phone, put down the MP3 player, settle the passengers, and drive.
Use Your Turn Signals: Signal your intentions for everyones safety.
Give Two-Wheelers Some Room: Dont tailgate or pass too closely.
Take Your Time: Nothing is as important as the safety of your loved ones, yourself, and the others with whom you share the road.
“It is our hope that members of the safety community will use the new traffic safety program we are offering to help us get these important messages out to as many motorists as possible, especially to those just learning to drive,” said Thompson. “The messages about sharing the road have never been more important for the safety of all roadway users.” To find out more about “Intersection,” the new MSF Host-an-Event program on sharing the road, visit ForCarDrivers.com .