Raymond P. Martinez, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
There are almost 400,000 people who are licensed to drive motorcycles in the state of New Jersey and 5.5 million people who can legally drive cars.
Add those two numbers together, and you have the makings for some very busy roads.
And as the days get warmer, more motorcycle riders will no doubt be out on the roads. I know it is sometimes difficult for motorists to see motorcyclists, but simple precautions can be taken to avoid any mishaps. Before switching lanes, remember to double-check your side and rearview mirrors to ensure that everything is clear. And before making a turn at an intersection, give an extra look to each side just to make sure nothing is coming your way.
There’s no denying motorcycle riders are more vulnerable in their vehicle of choice than those who drive cars or trucks. It’s simply the design of the machinery.
But that’s where the difference stops because people who ride motorcycles are no different than you and me. They are our fathers, our mothers, our sons and our daughters.
May is national Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and I would like to remind all motorists who travel our roads to be alert to the nearly 160,000 motorcycles that are registered in New Jersey. So this month, and every day, let’s all safely share the road with motorcycles.
For more information about sharing the road with motorcycles and about the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s Motorcycle Safety Education Program, please visit our website at njridesafe.org.

