In an effort to help standardize warning signs for motorcycle safety and help reduce the number of motorcycle crashes at intersections involving other vehicles, Allstate will permanently install motorcycle warning signs in more than 30 U.S. cities this year. Currently, there is no standard sign for motorcycle awareness.
The yellow, diamond shaped warning sign was created following two years of development, which included 140 temporary installations in various U.S. cities between 2010 and 2011. The signs were designed to establish a standardized warning device that can be used by any local or state agency and would be recognizable to riders and motorists across the country.
Simply reading, “Watch for Motorcycles,” the sign was developed by Allstate as part of its “Once is Never Enough” (ONE) program – an awareness campaign that encourages people to look twice for motorcycles at intersections.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 46 percent of all multi-vehicle crashes occur at intersections, often as the result of a vehicle turning left, in front of a motorcycle that has the right-of-way.
“Every day in the U.S., an average of three motorcyclists are killed at intersections in crashes that involve other vehicles, and that’s unacceptable,” said Keith Rutman, Vice President of Allstate's Consumer Household unit. “That’s why Allstate created the ONE program to help remind drivers to look twice for motorcycles – especially at intersections, because looking once is never enough.”
Through its ONE program, The Allstate Rider Protection Project works with local traffic authorities to identify dangerous intersections for riders and then donates and installs warning signs at the determined locations to increase awareness of motorcycles.
To kick off National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (May), the first permanent installation of the “Watch for Motorcycles” warning signs took place in Atlanta on May 1. Working closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation, Allstate donated and installed that first warning sign, as it will additional signs in other cities across the country throughout the year.
Allstate is also encouraging people to go to its Facebook page and take the ONE Pledge – making the commitment to look twice for motorcycles at intersections – and share the link with at least ONE other person to spread the message. For every pledge shared, Allstate will donate ONE dollar toward the creation and installation of more “Watch for Motorcycles” signs at dangerous intersections across the country. To take the ONE Pledge and help make the world a better place to ride,
visit Facebook.com/AllstateMotorcycle.
Bill Engvall teams up with the Rider Protection Project. Watch Video.
Guess who else is joining Allstate in its quest to protect riders? Comedian and actor Bill Engvall will also be helping to spread the motorcycle awareness message. Best known for his work as a member of the Blue Collar Comedy group, Engvall has partnered with Allstate after experiencing firsthand how important motorcycle awareness is for all drivers.
“As a person who’s had someone very close to me involved in a serious motorcycle crash and as a rider myself, I jumped at the chance to work with Allstate on this important campaign,” said Bill Engvall. “I’ve made a living making jokes about signs of the obvious, but here’s one sign that carries a vital message and is no laughing matter.”
Now in its fourth year, Allstate’s ONE program has evolved from general motorcycle awareness education, to installing temporary warning signs at dangerous intersections in more than 140 cities over the past two years, to the permanent installations of the new, FHWA-approved warning signs.
Allstate will be working with local Departments of Transportation across the country to identify dangerous intersections and donate and install signs in more than 30 cities. Working together, we can all help to make riding safer.
How else do you stay safe on the road? Share with us in the comments section.