(OTC)
Otter Tail County, MN – Summer is riding season in lakes country, and the roads are full of boat trailers, campers, farm equipment and motorcycles. That is why the Otter Tail County Safe Communities Coalition and the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office are joining the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a simple message: A motorcyclist’s safety is everyone’s safety.
“Motorcycles are smaller and harder to spot, so take an extra second and look twice at intersections, at driveways and before pulling out of the lake access,” said Sergeant Allen McKesh of the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office. “That one second can save a life.”
Speed and alcohol are the two biggest dangers for riders. National data shows 37% of motorcycle riders in deadly crashes were speeding, and 40% of riders who died in single-vehicle crashes had been drinking. Rural roads add risks of their own, including loose gravel, deer, and slow-moving farm equipment.
“If you ride, ride sober, watch your speed and wear the right gear every single time,” said Emily Frustol of the Otter Tail County Safe Communities Coalition.
Riders can follow these simple steps to stay safe:
- Ride sober and obey the speed limit.
- Follow all traffic laws and avoid distractions.
- Ride defensively, especially on gravel and at dusk when deer are moving.
- Wear protective clothing and a DOT-approved helmet, eye protection, gloves and over-the-ankle boots.
Drivers play a big role, too. Give motorcycles a full lane, check blind spots and leave extra following distance, especially when towing a boat or camper. This reminder comes at a busy time as hundreds of motorcycles will ride through the county during the Dough 4 Joe motorcycle ride Thursday, July 23, through Saturday, July 25.
Story courtesy of Otter Tail County.
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