Officials hope Motorcycle Awareness Month will carry through the rest of the year.

Keeping everyone safe on the road was the thought behind designating May as Motorcycle Awareness Month.

Due to the high number of fatalities of individuals on motorcycles, the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety spends a month each year reminding drivers to always be aware of motorcyclists.

Marcus Holmes is the Intermediate Systems Management Specialist for the Division of Traffic and Highway Safety. Holmes said, through the month, they ask that all motorists be aware of motorcycles.

“It’s the beginning of the summer season and you see a lot of motorcycles out there on the road,” Holmes said. “Approximately 11 percent of Missouri traffic fatalities in 2015 involved motorcycles and that is 92 motorcyclists (who) lost their lives in 2015.”

Holmes says they ask that motorists be more aware throughout the year and follow safe driving habits such as always checking your mirrors when changing lanes.

“Allow a motorcycle to have a full lane while driving – don’t share a lane with a motorcyclist. Always make sure to signal before changing lanes or merging into traffic because motorcycles are very fast, they’re nimble – even the big ones – they can get in a blind spot of a motorist and you may not see that motorcyclist.”

Holmes said to also always pay attention when entering an intersection, as most crashes or fatalities happen at intersections or while a motorcyclist is making a left turn. He adds motorcyclists should always wear the proper reflective gear so they can be seen by other motorists.

For more information and resources, go to the Save MO Lives website.