Each May, the Florida motorcycle community recognizes Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (MSAM). In 2024, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported 9,455 motorcycle-related crashes and more than 590 fatalities statewide. As a result, this is more than an awareness campaign; it’s a call to action that helps save riders’ lives.
The Florida Motorcycle Safety Program (FMSP), in collaboration with its partners, ABATE of Florida Inc. (ABATE), American Legion Riders, Department of Florida (FL-ALR), and the Latin American Motorcycle Association (L.A.M.A.), is dedicated to strengthening rider safety education through the FMSP MSAM digital toolkit. Continuing education plays a critical role in rider safety, and the toolkit serves as a reminder that wearing a DOT-approved helmet and proper protective gear, periodically checking tires and brakes, and practicing defensive riding are key to reducing motorcycle-related crashes and fatalities statewide.
The digital toolkit provides resources for all road users to take immediate action and commit to safety. Within the toolkit, you can find Florida facts regarding motorcycle-related crashes, injuries and fatalities, downloadable social media graphics and caption messaging, the latest Florida Freedom newsletters, access to the insightful FMSP Rider Survey, training opportunities, a resource library with downloadable talking points, and safety tips for both motorcyclists and motorists.
This month also reminds motorists that creating safer roads is a shared responsibility. The toolkit also helps motorists better understand their role by educating them about the importance of actively looking for motorcycles in blind spots, at intersections, and during lane changes, as well as maintaining a safe following distance. Awareness leads to accountability and accountability leads to safer roads.
Motorcycle Safety Practices & Tips
- Defensive riding saves lives— Assume other drivers may not see you and always have an escape plan.
- Lane positioning matters— Ride where you are most visible and avoid blind spots.
- Maintain a safe following distance—motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars, so give yourself adequate space to react.
- Check your bike before every ride— Inspect tires, brakes, lights, and fluid levels to ensure your motorcycle is road-ready.
- Take a motorcycle safety course— Even experienced riders benefit from training that sharpens skills and teach crash-avoidance techniques.
Motorist Safety Practices & Tips
- Look twice for motorcycles— They are smaller and harder to see, especially at intersections and when changing lanes.
- Give motorcycles extra space— Maintain at least a four-second following distance to avoid rear-ending a rider.
- Check blind spots before merging or turning– Motorcycles can easily be hidden by a vehicle’s side pillars or mirrors.
- Avoid distractions behind the wheel— Texting, eating, or adjusting the radio can take your focus off the road and endanger motorcyclists.
- Never drive impaired— Alcohol and drugs slow reaction time, impair judgment, and increase the risk of serious crashes.
