There have been a number of motorcycle accidents reported in the local media in recent weeks. Many have resulted in serious injuries and even fatalities. Each accident and situation is different; however, motorcyclists continue to be at risk on the road. In 2009, according to the State Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 1,060 fatalities reported in New York from motor vehicle accidents. Of those, 146 were motorcycle drivers.

Motorcycle groups continue to raise awareness among their members, reminding folks of road safety through organizations such as ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education). This group recently held its annual Freedom Ride in Albany in which several motorcyclists descend on the Capitol to raise awareness of motorcycle drivers. There also has been an effort by law enforcement to keep motorcyclists safer on the road in recent weeks. Many motorcyclists have been stopped while driving and encouraged to wear safer helmets; however, we need to better educate the other drivers on the road as well.

I recently signed onto legislation that would require those taking their driver’s license test to answer questions pertaining to motorcyclists in the written portion of the exam. Motorcycle safety instruction also would be included in the five-hour pre-licensing course. Though many teachers include this as part of their instruction, requiring it would ensure that all teachers address motorcycle safety. Educating people helps prepare drivers for what to do in a real-life traffic situation. As a result of studies relating to motorcycle crashes, it is believed that the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is a leading cause of accidents. I feel we all can benefit from a bill like this and hope to see it pass the Assembly to become law.

Here are some safety tips the State Department of Motor Vehicles reminds car and truck drivers of when sharing the road with motorcyclists:

• A motorcyclist has the right to the full use of a lane, and motorcyclists are allowed to ride two abreast in a single lane.
• An experienced motorcyclist will often change position within a lane to get a clearer view of traffic, avoid hazards and be more visible to drivers.
• You may not pass or drive alongside a motorcycle in the same lane, and a motorcyclist may not share a lane with you.
• Take care when passing a motorcyclist. Like bicycles, motorcycles can be affected by the air pressure of passing vehicles.
• Because motorcyclists must take extra precautions when they come upon special highway surfaces, you should be aware of what a motorcyclist may do in certain situations.
• The motorcyclist may quickly change speed or lane position to avoid loose gravel, debris, seams or grooves in the pavement, sewer or access covers, or small animals.
• When approaching a railroad crossing, a motorcyclist may slow down and rise off the seat to cushion the rough crossing and change direction to cross the tracks at a right angle.
• On bridges with metal grates (often marked STEEL DECK BRIDGE), the motorcyclist may move to the center of the lane to compensate for the uneven surface. Stay well behind a motorcyclist in this situation.

Onondaga County named sixth ‘best affordable’

Bloomberg Businessweek named Onondaga County the sixth “best affordable” place to live. This is good news and won our area some national attention last week. Rated among 3,000 counties, factors that were most “heavily weighted included housing cost, crime, unemployment, and educational attainment in the county, income, poverty, commute time, air quality, diversity, and share of families with children. With a cost of living about 18 percent below the U.S. average, according to Sperling’s BestPlaces, Syracuse is an affordable city. While its population shrank slightly in the past 10 years, according to 2010 U.S. Census data, other areas in the county have grown, including Pompey, Cicero, and Lysander.”

If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 200 North Second Street, Fulton, New York 13069, by e-mail at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us or by calling (315) 598-5185. You also can find me, Assemblyman Barclay, on Facebook.