Twenty intersections across the U.S. will gain greater motorcycle safety awareness if Allstate Insurance Company earns approval from local jurisdictions to display warning signs via the "Once is Never Enough" (ONE) program.
The ONE program was established more than four years ago and has evolved from general motorcycle awareness to permanent warning signs stating “Watch for Motorcycles.” The program encourages motorists to look twice for motorcycles at intersections, because according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 46 percent of all multi-vehicle crashes occur at intersections, often times as a result of a vehicle turning left, impeding the motorcyclist’s right-of-way.
“It’s a known fact that motorcycle collisions with autos can have some of the most tragic consequences and it’s been our goal to help ensure the roads are shared safely by all motorists and riders,” said Keith Rutman, vice president of Allstate’s specialty lines unit. “The ONE program has received outstanding support from the rider community and our local jurisdiction partners.”
The federally approved “Watch for Motorcycles” warning sign was created following two years of development, which included 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. Through this program, Allstate 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.
A new study indicates motorcycle fatalities have increased approximately 9 percent in 2012, resulting in nearly 5,000 deaths and an all-time high over the past decade. With each sign installation, Allstate will monitor its effectiveness in the years to come in an effort to decrease motorcycle fatalities.
“We’ve definitely seen an increased level of activism from the rider community,” said Rutman. “The ONE program and Allstate Motorcycle Facebook page are here to facilitate conversations about motorcycle safety awareness and start a movement to help decrease motorcycle-auto collisions in the future.”
