Wyoming Officials Stress Motorcycle Safety
Wyoming Governor Matt Mead joined local law enforcement agencies and Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) officials at High Country Motorsports this afternoon to bring awareness to motorcycle safety in the state.
Twenty-four people died in motorcycle crashes in Wyoming last year, making 2015 the third highest fatality year in 22 years.
"There's a number of factors that people can do to reduce that number," said WYDOT Motorcycle Safety Program Manager Jennifer Goodrich. "Vehicles need to be aware of the motorcyclists and the motorcyclists have a responsibility to themselves to have a mental strategy when they head out on the road."
"I know we can do better in this state," said Governor Mead. "Whether it's a motorcycle, a car or a truck, we all have a responsibility to drive defensively and we all have a responsibility to watch out for each other."
Even though Wyoming doesn't have a helmet law, officials encourage riders to wear a helmet and never drive impaired.
"A slow-speed accident can be a very tragic event without a helmet on," said Mead.
Wyoming, which has already seen six motorcycle fatalities this year, typically sees most fatal motorcycle crashes occur in August.