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Texas DPS Urges Safety Around Motorcycles

AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas Department of Public Safety has urged drivers to use caution around motorcycles and scooters after nearly 500 traffic-related deaths last year.

Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month began Thursday. DPS has kicked off its "Share the Road" and "Look Twice" for motorcycles public awareness campaigns.

DPS says 494 people died on Texas roadways last year while riding motorcycles and scooters. That's up 5 percent from 2012.

Those motorcycle and scooter deaths accounted for about 15 percent of all Texas traffic fatalities last year.

DPS says Texas has more than 440,000 registered motorcycles and mopeds.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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