Beyond the Byline: Drive safely all the time

If you drive Pennsylvania’s roads, or any roads for that matter, you are certain to encounter all sorts of drivers — fast drivers, hurry-up drivers, tailgaters, lane-weavers, even way too slow drivers.

And you will no doubt encounter rude drivers — they are out there.

So when PennDOT and AAA Mid-Atlantic both caution us about driving safely over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, we ought to follow their advice — not just this weekend, but all the time.

With both temperatures and the number of motorcycles travelling on Pennsylvania roadways on the rise, the Wolf Administration this week reminded drivers and motorcyclists to share the road, obey traffic laws and watch out for one another throughout the riding season.

Back in the day this was referred to as “common courtesy.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania State Police and motorcycle safety advocates have joined forces to promote and encourage the safe operation of all vehicles. Gov. Tom Wolf has proclaimed May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.

“As more and more people enjoy the fun and excitement of motorcycling, it is in the best interest of both motorcyclists and motorists to share the road safely,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Staying aware while driving or riding, obeying speed limits and being responsible will help lower fatalities and injuries from unnecessary crashes.”

• There were 3,578 crashes involving motorcycles on Pennsylvania roadways in 2021, resulting in 226 fatalities.

• Crashes rose by more than 150 from the 2020 number of 3,404, while fatalities also rose from 217 in 2020.

“We encourage riders to slow down, ride defensively, and remember to not drink and ride in order to keep themselves upright and ready for their next riding adventure,” said Major Robert Krol, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. “Enrolling in a free safety training class can help motorcycle enthusiasts of all skill levels refresh their skills or even learn some new techniques.”

Some safety tips motorists should keep in mind when sharing the road with motorcycles include:

• Watch for motorcycles. Be aware that motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see. Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and at intersections.

• Allow more following distance: Leave at least four seconds of distance between a motorcycle and your vehicle.

• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic.

Respect a motorcycle as a full-size vehicle with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway.

• Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width as the motorcyclist needs the room to maneuver safely in all types of road conditions.

• Never drive impaired.

And PennDOT says motorcyclists can do their part to help avoid crashes by following some simple safety tips:

• Be seen by wearing reflective clothing and put reflective tape on your protective clothing and motorcycle. Also wear face or eye protection and a DOT-approved helmet.

• Use common sense by riding sober, obeying all speed limits and allowing enough time to react to potentially dangerous situations.

• Know your motorcycle and conduct a pre-ride check.

• Practice safe riding techniques and know how to handle your motorcycle in adverse road and weather conditions.

AAA: Area travel will increase

over Memorial Day weekend

AAA is projecting that more than 43,000 Wilkes-Barre area residents will travel a distance of 50 miles or more over the Memorial Day Weekend and, as usual, the large majority will be driving to their destinations, though air travel and travel by other modes of transportation are both up significantly compared to last year.

More than 90% of travelers – or nearly 40,000 Wilkes-Barre area residents — will be hitting the road for the holiday, up almost 5% compared to last year despite record gas prices. While the increase in auto travel is notable given the pain at the pump, a sharp jump in air travel and travel by other modes of transportation suggests gas prices may be motivating some travelers to consider alternatives to driving.

“The roads will be as crowded as they have been over the Memorial Day holiday since before the pandemic but airports, train stations and bus depots will also be extremely busy so travelers should plan accordingly,” says Jana Tidwell, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

More time to travel on these busy roads — be safe