Motorcycle Safety

At the weather gets warmer, motorcyclists begin to ride more frequently. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in traffic crashes and fatalities than vehicle drivers. Both motorcyclists and vehicle drivers have important roles to play in sharing the road and preventing a crash.

Tips for motorcyclists

Protect yourself

Wear a Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant helmet with a “FMVSS No. 218 Certified” label and use reflective tape and gear to be more visible. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in 2017. An additional 749 lives could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn their helmets. If you're under 21, you must wear a helmet and eye protection while driving a motorcycle in South Carolina.

Learn how to identify a safe, DOT-compliant helmet

Ride sober and focused

Never ride while impaired or distracted — it is not worth the risk of killing or injuring yourself or someone else. Plus, a driving under the influence (DUI) offense costs $10,000 on average and can lead to jail time, loss of your driver’s license, and higher insurance rates.

Get a license

Always drive with a current motorcycle license. It’s the law. In 2019, 30% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were riding without valid motorcycle licenses.

Take a class

Riding a motorcycle is not as easy as it looks. To learn the rules of the road and how to handle a motorcycle, take a rider education course. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles has more information about rider education and training courses in South Carolina.