I am a member of Leather & Lace, an international women’s motorcycle club established in 1983. One of our top priorities is to support motorcycle safety in our community.

During this month of May, my group and motorcyclists around the country are promoting National Motorcycle Awareness Month. More than two-thirds of car-motorcycle crashes are caused by car drivers, not by motorcyclists. The driver either does not see the oncoming motorcyclist at all, or does not see the motorcyclist in time to avoid a crash.

Motorcycle fatalities continue to increase at an alarming pace. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,290 motorcyclists died in highway crashes in 2008. In Hawaii, there were 30 motorcycle fatalities in 2009, a 36 percent increase from 2008, according to the state Department of Transportation. That year, the 35 fatal motorcycle crashes topped other types of fatal crashes such as passenger car crashes (34), pedestrian accidents (16), pickup truck crashes (10) and utility truck crashes (8).

A common reason drivers don’t see motorcyclists is that they tend to look for other cars, not motorcycles. Because of its smaller profile, a motorcycle is harder to see, so drivers may find it more difficult to estimate the motorcycle’s speed.

The motorcyclist’s riding pattern is different from a car driver’s pattern. Different actions may be needed for the same driving or highway situation. For example, a car driver may ignore a piece of road debris as a driver; however, that same piece of road debris may be deadly for a motorcyclist.

Traffic, weather and road conditions require motorcyclists to react differently than drivers; thus, it is more difficult for drivers to judge and predict cues that may require motorcyclists to take evasive actions.

What are some situations in which crashes are most likely to occur?

» A car making a left turn, attempting the turn in front of a motorcycle operator.

» A motorcyclist riding in a driver’s blind spot, preventing the driver from seeing the motorcycle.

» Large vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles, delivery vans and large trucks can obstruct a driver’s line of sight, blocking a motorcycle from view, so the motorcyclist may seem to suddenly appear out of nowhere.

In sharing the road, respect the motorcyclist. Remember, the motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the privileges of any vehicle on the roadway. Give the motorcyclist a full lane of travel.

Look for motorcyclists at intersections, when they might be making a left turn, and on the highway, when they might be changing lanes. Clearly signal your intentions.

Anticipate a motorcyclist’s maneuver: Obstructions that drivers do not notice may be deadly for a motorcyclist. Predict evasive actions.

Allow plenty of space, and don’t follow a motorcycle too closely in order to give enough room for the motorcyclist to take evasive actions.

Nearly 2,000 motorcyclists die each year as a result of an accident; another 50,000 are injured in collisions and other mishaps. All of us at Leather & Lace want to see these numbers dwindle to zero.

Hopefully, this provides some valuable education for everyone who shares the road with motorcyclists.