Lansing, MI - Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson marked Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the unofficial start of the summer travel season in Michigan by launching the Michigan Department of State’s annual “Look Twice. Save a Life.” public education campaign.
The campaign’s primary focus is to remind drivers and motorcyclists to be alert and attentive while driving, especially at intersections and when making left turns, and by respectfully and safely sharing the road.
“As we look forward to warmer weather and another beautiful Michigan summer, drivers must take extra caution and watch for motorcycles,” Secretary Benson said. “Staying alert and aware will save lives. Look twice at each intersection and keep Michigan’s roads safer for everyone.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued a proclamation recognizing May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Michigan, calling on all motorists to be aware of their surroundings and to be mindful of motorcyclists as they travel throughout the state.
There are more than 600,000 licensed motorcyclists in Michigan. In 2022 — the last year for which complete data is available — Michigan recorded 3,158 motorcycle crashes statewide, of which 1,643 involved a motorcyclist and passenger vehicle. Complete data is available online. More than 80% of the state’s motorcycle crashes with other vehicles occur between May and September every year.
Most crashes were in Michigan’s more populous counties and happened on weekends between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. when motorcycle traffic tends to surge. The top counties, accounting for more than 40% of all crashes statewide in 2022, were:
- Wayne County with 344 crashes involving 819 people
- Oakland County with 161 crashes involving 367 people
- Macomb County with 157 crashes involving 372 people
- Kent County with 116 crashes involving 267 people
- Genesee County with 77 crashes involving 199 people
Motorcyclists also are four times more likely to suffer serious injury and 24 times more likely to be killed in a crash than is an occupant of a passenger vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Data from the Michigan State Police and NHTSA shows that most crashes happen at intersections on local roads and streets, not on highways. The most frequent crash occurrence is when a vehicle turning left strikes an oncoming motorcycle.
Funding for the “Look Twice. Save a Life.” campaign comes from the Motorcycle Safety and Education Awareness Fund, created by the Michigan Legislature in 2017. The fund is financed by $2.50 from each original motorcycle endorsement and $2 from each motorcycle endorsement renewal.
More information about the campaign is available at Michigan.gov/LookTwice.