Look Twice. Protect A Life.

Motorcycles Are Everywhere.

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS TOOLKIT

Why It Matters

Over the past few years, Florida has consistently ranked among the top states in the nation for motorcycle crashes, resulting in over 600 fatalities and more than 8,000 injuries as of 2024, reported by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

Each May, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (MSAM) addresses the crucial need to save riders’ lives by promoting safe riding practices and fostering collaboration among riders, motorists, and safety advocates.

With Florida’s growing number of motorcyclists on the roadways, this campaign aims to reduce preventable crashes and fatalities while enhancing the safety for all people traveling on the roads. According to the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) and Ride Smart Florida, Florida is home to approximately 1.46 million riders with motorcycle endorsements and over 671,000 registered motorcycles.

By uniting communities and emphasizing the importance of motorcycle safety awareness, the Florida Motorcycle Safety Program (FMSP), in partnership with ABATE of Florida, Inc. (ABATE), American Legion – Department of Florida (FL-ALR), and the Latin American Motorcycle Association (L.A.M.A.), aims to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities on Florida roads through targeted educational campaigns, outreach, and awareness efforts.

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Take the Rider Survey:

FACTS

Florida’s Top 10 Counties for Motorcyclist Fatalities

In 2024, Florida reported 9,455 motorcycle crashes, leading to 8,111 injuries, and unfortunately, 598 lives lost, according to the FLHSMV crash data report.
Despite comprising approximately 3% of registered vehicles, motorcyclists account for nearly 17-20% of all traffic fatalities in Florida, and less than 1% of annual traffic counts, according to Ride Smart Florida.
From 2017 to 2022, Florida crash data provided by FLHSMV show that motorcyclists were at fault in 60% of motorcycle-involved crashes, including 28% in multi-vehicle crashes and 32% in single-vehicle crashes.
Excessive speed contributes to a significant number of motorcycle crashes, underscoring the need for riders to adhere to posted speed limits, according to Ride Smart Florida.
Wearing a DOT-compliant helmet can significantly reduce the risk of severe head injury.
In 2023, 40% of the 611 Florida motorcyclist fatalities involved riders who were not wearing a DOT-compliant helmet.

Help Spread the Word

Share our motorcycle safety posts and graphics on your social media!

FOLLOW AND TAG FMSP WHEN YOU SHARE!

@FloridaMotorcycleSafetyProgram

@FLMotorcycleSafety

@FloridaMotorcycleSafetyProgram

Get Educated. Stay Protected.

Lead by Example: Prioritize Safe Riding

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 faster than cars, so give yourself 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 teaches 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.

School is Back Safety Awareness

As the back-to-school season approaches, Florida roadways become busier with school buses, vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and crossing guards sharing the road.
Riders can help make every trip safer by staying alert, remaining visible, and maintaining a safe following distance. Looking out for one another on the roads goes a long way during the busy school year.

RIDE WITH A PLAN FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL

ü Watch for school zones and reduce your speed

ü Leave extra space between your ride and the vehicle
ahead of you

ü Be prepared for sudden stops

ü Identify a safe way out in case a risk occurs

ü Be prepared for traffic changes by looking farther ahead

Florida Motorcycle Safety Outreach

Connect with FMSP at upcoming motorcycle safety outreach events. Explore our Events Calendar to find upcoming community outreach with ABATE, FL-ALR and L.A.M.A., and opportunities focused on reducing crashes and saving lives near you.

WATCH OUR STATEWIDE EFFORTS ON THE OFFICIAL FMSP YOUTUBE CHANNEL!