Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee urges drivers and motorcycle riders to slow down and stay alert during busy riding season

New York – As motorcycles begin returning to roads across New York in larger numbers with the arrival of warmer weather, state officials are sounding the alarm over a troubling rise in crashes and fatalities involving riders. With May recognized as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, transportation, law enforcement, and health leaders are urging both riders and motorists to slow down, stay alert, and share the road responsibly before another riding season turns deadly.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee launched a renewed statewide push this month centered around one clear message — safety on the road is a shared responsibility.

Officials say the concern is not theoretical. Data collected over recent years shows motorcycle crashes have climbed sharply statewide, with speed remaining the leading factor behind many serious and fatal incidents. Intersections, especially those involving left-hand turns, continue to be among the most dangerous points of conflict between motorcycles and larger vehicles.

“As the weather warms, we’re seeing more and more motorcyclists on the roads throughout our great state, and sadly we’re also seeing more crashes between motorcycles and other vehicles, especially at intersections,” said New York State DMV Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt. “I cannot stress enough how important it is for drivers and riders to slow down and to be aware of other vehicles on the road. I urge everyone, no matter what you’re driving, to look twice before turning or switching lanes. This is especially important when making a left turn, which is when most crashes occur. As our current motorcycle safety marketing campaign advises: Ride Safe New York!”

The warning comes as motorcycle crash statistics continue moving in the wrong direction. According to figures from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, motorcycle crashes in New York increased by 31 percent between 2020 and 2025.

While motorcycles represent only a small fraction of registered vehicles nationwide, the consequences of crashes involving riders are often devastating. Federal data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows motorcycles accounted for just 3.5 percent of registered vehicles in the United States in 2024, yet riders made up 16 percent of all traffic deaths.

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State officials say the imbalance highlights the vulnerability riders face every time they enter traffic. Unlike drivers protected by steel frames, airbags, and enclosed cabins, motorcyclists are exposed directly to impact, road hazards, and weather conditions.

Health experts across New York say emergency rooms witness those realities every year.

“Motorcycle riders are vulnerable to the road and are involved in more fatal traffic crashes,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “Each year, almost 5,000 motorcyclists are treated and released from an Emergency Department due to motorcycle-related injuries, an additional 1,200 are hospitalized, and nearly 200 died from their injuries. We are proud to partner with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee for this important campaign reminding all New Yorkers that safe riding and driving practices are a shared responsibility to ensure we all make it home safely.”

The campaign arrives at a time when riding activity is increasing statewide. Officials say favorable weather conditions and growing participation in training programs have contributed to a larger number of riders taking to the roads in 2026.

Men between the ages of 21 and 40 remain the demographic most commonly involved in motorcycle crashes, according to state officials. Because of that, this year’s awareness campaign is specifically targeting younger male riders through digital advertising, streaming audio and video content, social media outreach, roadside billboards, and ads placed at bus shelters, gas stations, and convenience stores.

The campaign will continue through August, when traffic volumes and motorcycle travel typically remain high.

Law enforcement agencies are also intensifying their focus on rider safety as the season progresses. Officials say patrols will continue emphasizing both education and enforcement, particularly when it comes to reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, and impaired operation.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James stressed that awareness from both riders and drivers can prevent many of the crashes that happen every year.

“As the weather gets warmer, drivers should keep an eye out for motorcycles, making sure to look twice before changing lanes or pulling out into traffic. We encourage motorcycle operators to wear an approved helmet and ride in a way that ensures they are clearly visible to others. Those out on the roads can be assured the New York State Police will continue our commitment to improving road safety through our partnership with the Department of Motor Vehicles, education and active enforcement.”

Transportation safety officials say one of the most persistent dangers occurs when motorists fail to properly judge the speed or distance of an approaching motorcycle. Because motorcycles are smaller and narrower than passenger vehicles, they can appear farther away than they actually are.

That split-second miscalculation can become deadly when a driver suddenly turns left across traffic.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee says drivers should always double-check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or turning through intersections. Riders, meanwhile, are encouraged to stay visible, avoid weaving through traffic, and maintain enough distance to react to sudden stops or unexpected lane changes.

Officials are also urging riders to think beyond basic helmet use. Proper riding gear, reflective clothing, gloves, reinforced jackets, and protective footwear can dramatically reduce injury severity during crashes.

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Among the strongest messages repeated by state officials this year is the importance of wearing DOT-approved helmets. Authorities warned that so-called “novelty helmets,” which often resemble approved gear but lack real protective standards, are illegal on New York roads and offer little actual safety during impacts.

In addition to protective equipment, riders are being encouraged to perform basic safety inspections before every trip. Checking tire pressure, brake function, mirrors, headlights, signals, and horn operation may seem routine, officials say, but those steps can prevent mechanical problems that become catastrophic at highway speeds.

The state is also urging riders to pay close attention to weather conditions, especially during spring months when sudden rain, temperature swings, or slick pavement can affect handling and traction.

Defensive riding remains another central focus of the campaign. Officials recommend riders avoid aggressive maneuvers, stay sober, and take breaks during long rides to maintain concentration and reaction time.

For drivers, the message is equally direct — distractions behind the wheel are putting riders at risk.

State officials say cell phones, navigation systems, and other in-car distractions continue contributing to crashes involving motorcycles. Because motorcycles occupy less visual space than passenger vehicles, distracted drivers may overlook them entirely until it is too late.

Authorities are urging motorists to remain fully focused on the road and avoid making rushed decisions in traffic.

The annual Americade motorcycle rally in Lake George will once again become a centerpiece of the state’s outreach efforts later this month. The event, considered the nation’s largest multi-brand motorcycle touring rally, attracts riders from across the country and serves as a major platform for motorcycle safety education.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee will sponsor several awareness activities during the festival, including the popular Slow Drive competition, where riders demonstrate balance and low-speed control skills. Officials will also distribute educational materials and speak directly with riders about safe operating practices.

Behind the scenes, New York has also expanded its broader motorcycle safety training efforts.

The state’s Motorcycle Safety Program, known as NYSMSP, provides rider-funded training courses using curriculum developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The courses teach braking techniques, turning strategies, obstacle avoidance, traffic awareness, protective gear selection, and motorcycle maintenance.

Riders who successfully complete the course are exempt from taking a separate motorcycle road test.

According to the DMV, participation in motorcycle safety training surged dramatically between 2025 and 2026, rising by 135 percent statewide.

Officials say the increase reflects growing awareness among riders that training can save lives.

Beyond training and awareness campaigns, the state has also implemented new enforcement measures aimed at dangerous driving behavior. In February 2026, New York introduced a revised statewide point system intended to strengthen penalties for persistently reckless drivers.

Officials say the changes are designed to improve accountability and remove repeat dangerous drivers from the roads more quickly.

While motorcycles often symbolize freedom and recreation, state leaders say the risks riders face remain serious and demand constant attention from everyone sharing the roadway.

The hope behind this year’s campaign is simple — fewer crashes, fewer emergency room visits, and fewer families receiving devastating phone calls after preventable accidents.

For transportation officials, the message is not complicated. Slow down. Stay alert. Look twice.

And remember that every rider on the road is somebody trying to make it home safely.