Insurance Industry Hopes New Signs Increase Motorcycle Safety
DENVER (CBS4) - Intersections can be one of the most dangerous places for motorcyclists. Now the insurance industry is hoping new signs at one of the busiest places in Denver will increase safety and awareness.
Denver is one of 25 cities across country putting out the signs. Denver was picked because there's a large population of motorcyclists in the city and statewide.
Between 2005 and 2009 there were 427 fatal motorcycle wrecks in Colorado and about a third of those happened in busy intersections.
"About 25 percent of all auto-motorcycle accidents occur in intersections," said Roger Francis, and Allstate agent.
Allstate is starting up a program with the Colorado Department of Transportation called "Once Is Never Enough."
"We're trying to get automobile operators to look more than once when they make a turn," Francis said.
It's targeting key intersections to put up the new signs. The signs will go in the intersections notorious for motorcycle wrecks. They are temporary for now, but permanent signs will eventually be posted on poles.
"We're working with the city and county of Denver to get these signs put in on a permanent basis," Francis said.
Brenton Maddox says any signs to raise awareness will help.
"People just really don't see motorcyclists. You just have to be careful," Maddox said.
He's one of many motorcyclists who does more than a fair share of defensive driving.
"A big problem I see is almost everyone is on their cellphone," Maddox said.
Allstate says warms days should be a reminder to be extra aware of motorcycles.
For now the signs will be at Speer Boulevard and Lincoln Street. The hope is to have them at several notorious intersections in the future.
The worst intersection in Denver for motorcycle related crashes is Martin Luther King Boulevard and Colorado, according to Allstate.
A recent survey of bikers showed over 80 percent are more concerned about the cars around them than anything else on the road.
