May is Motorcycle Awareness Month

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and the Texas Department of Transportation is promoting a campaign to urge drivers and motorcyclists to stay safe on the roadways.

The “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign is aimed at decreasing the number of crashes in the state of Texas.

TxDOT officials said it is also a time to remember those who were killed as a result of motorcycle crashes.

Last year, 493 riders were killed in Texas, a 6 percent increase from 2015. In addition, 2,006 riders were seriously injured.

“Always make yourselves visible, try not to dart in and out of traffic, make sure your signaling and obey the speed limits,” said El Paso Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Paz, who also patrols on a motorcycle.

Paz said failure to control speed is the cause of many crashes. He added the responsibility is on motorcyclists and drivers.

He said drivers have much more protection on the roads, more of a reason why they should always look twice for motorcyclists.

Motorcyclists can also take extra precautions.

“Always wear your helmet,” Paz said. Wearing a helmet is an option in Texas.

“If you’re thrown from a motorcycle, you want to have some protection.”

In 2016, there were 615 motorcycle traffic crashes in El Paso County, 14 of them were deadly and 34 motorcyclists were seriously injured.

ABC-7 talked to riders who are part of a motorcycle club that supports local law enforcement.

Victor Lopez said he sees the dangers on the road, especially when the club is riding as a group.

“We don’t brake the same as someone (driver) with four wheels so just give us a break out here,” Lopez said.

TxDOT said the steps to remember are simple– look twice for motorcyclists.