While many motorcyclists have enjoyed an early start to riding season thanks to Mother Nature, RCMP would like to send out some safety reminders as May is Motorcycle safety month.

RCMP Sergeant Dave Hardy with Integrated Traffic Services says last year alone 232 motorcyclists in Alberta were involved in injury collisions, and the number of deaths resulting was high. "In 2018, unfortunately, we had twelve deaths of people driving motorcycles in RCMP jurisdiction in Alberta, and of those twelve, two fatalities happened in Cochrane's patrol area."

Hardy is hopeful that by putting out some safety reminders those numbers will drastically reduce, if not, totally diminish. "We would definitely like to see a better start to 2019 and not have any motorcycle collisions or fatalities and we feel that getting out the word early is a good prevention technique."

Offering motorcycle drivers some safety reminders, Sgt. Hardy is hopeful his message is heard. "Wearing protective, bright and reflective clothing can help because other motorists need to see you, and driving defensively is very important as motorcyclists are vulnerable road users, unfortunately, and they need to be seen."

While the two fatalities that happened in Cochrane boundaries were single-vehicle collisions caused by the motorcyclist drivers veering to the right, Hardy says both vehicle drivers and motorcycle drivers need to be respectful, aware, and cognizant at all times. "A lot of times motorcyclists need to be aware that other motorists might misjudge the speed of a motorcycle and so they have to really watch out for other drivers."

If you are in a collision as a motorcycle driver the chances of being seriously injured or killed are quite a bit higher, says Hardy. "You have to make sure you don't get involved in a collision and be aware of other drivers at all times, as well as changing road conditions in the province. Uneven surfaces, railway tracks, grooved pavement, sand and gravel are all factors that can drastically affect the handling of your motorcycle. As a motorcycle rider, you just have to be more cautious."

Vehicle drivers also need to be respectful, mindful and not distracted. "The majority of motorcycle drivers are good drivers and they respect the rules of the road. There are a few out there that don't and give a bad image to motorcycle drivers overall, but most are respectful, law-abiding road users, and they have as much right to be there as anyone else."

Sergeant Hardy, says knock on wood he has not heard of any incidents involving motorcycles so far in 2019 within the Cochrane area. "We haven't had any incidents, yet, and we hope to keep it that way. If you get into a crash on a motorcycle it is usually not a very good ending."