May is Motorcycle Awareness Month |
By Member Stacy Shank | |
May 17, 2016 | |
GOVERNOR WOLF PROCLAIMS MAY MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH 05/04/2016 Harrisburg, PA – With both temperatures and the number of motorcycles appearing on Pennsylvania roadways rising, Governor Tom Wolf has signed a proclamation commemorating May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Some safety tips motorists can keep in mind when sharing the road with motorcycles include: • Watch for Motorcycles: be aware that motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see. Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and at intersections. Motorcyclists can do their part to help avoid crashes by following some simple safety tips: • Be seen by wearing reflective clothing and put reflective tape on your protective clothing and motorcycle. Also wear face or eye protection and a DOT-approved helmet. Another factor contributing to motorcycle safety is proper training. To ensure that only properly licensed riders are operating on Pennsylvania roadways, under Act 126 of 2013, after securing their first motorcycle learner’s permit, people may only reapply for a permit up to three times in a five-year period. Once the person’s motorcycle leaner’s permit expires, the individual may retake the knowledge test and reapply for a new permit. If a permit holder is unsuccessful in obtaining a motorcycle license after the third permit reapplication, they must wait the entire five years from the initial issuance of the permit to get another one. This law is aimed at preventing the practice of continually extending the permit without retaking the knowledge test or ever taking the skills test and obtaining a motorcycle license. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) offers Pennsylvania residents with a motorcycle permit the opportunity to earn a motorcycle license or refresh their skills through the 15-hour Basic Rider Course (BRC). It also offers a variety of training to help develop safe riding skills for all motorcyclists, no matter how experienced or inexperienced the rider. The courses include: the 15-hour Basic Rider Course (BRC); the six-hour Basic Rider Course 2 (BRC2); the eight-hour Advanced Rider Course (ARC); and the 12-hour 3-Wheeled Motorcycle Basic Rider Course (3WBRC). All of these courses are offered free of charge. For more information on motorcycle rider training or to schedule a course, visit www.pamsp.com or call 1-800-845-9533, Monday through Friday, between noon and 4 p.m. This info was obtained from the Penn Dot website. |
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