Communication Campaigns to Increase Motorist Awareness of Motorcyclists
Several States have conducted communications and outreach campaigns to increase motorists’ awareness of motorcyclists. Typical themes are Share the Road or Watch for Motorcyclists. Some States build campaigns around Motorcycle Awareness Month, often in May, early in the summer riding season. (See NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Marketing website for “Motorist Awareness of Motorcycles” material).
Thirty-six of 44 States that responded to a survey question reported that they communicate about ways for drivers to increase their awareness of motorcycles and motorcyclists (Baer et al., 2010). NHTSA (2006, Section 5) and Potts et al. (2008) provide examples or links to campaigns from a dozen States. A review of literature uncovered no evaluations of the effectiveness of campaigns to increase driver awareness of motorcyclists.