By SHARON HARRINGTON

According to the State Police, from 2006 to 2007, the number of fatalities resulting from motorcycle crashes in New Jersey decreased by 15.5 percent – from 103 to 87. Although these figures show that a decrease did occur, the 87 fatalities is still the second-highest total recorded in at least the last 12 years.
That is 87 deaths too many, and it is clear that we must continue to find ways to bring awareness to this problem. Motorcyclists and motorists need to make a concerted effort to not only responsibly operate their vehicles at all times, but also to be aware of the activity going on around them in other lanes.
In order to bring attention to this public safety concern, May is being recognized as New Jersey Motorcycle Awareness Month. By reminding all motorcyclists and motorists to responsibly share the roadways, hopefully we can further reduce the number of accidents and fatalities. We all must work together to ensure the safety of riders and motorists.
As the days get warmer, more riders will be out on the roadways, so it is important for motorists to be alert of motorcycles when traveling. I know it is sometimes difficult for motorists to see motorcyclists, but simple precautions can be taken to avoid any unfortunate accidents. Before switching lanes, remember to double-check your side and rearview mirrors to ensure that everything is clear. And before making a turn at an intersection, give an extra look to each side just to make sure nothing is coming your way.
Motorists, though, cannot be entirely blamed for accidents. There are plenty of safety measures that motorcyclists can take to ensure safety on the road. For one, motorcyclists should travel in the part of the lane where they are most visible to other motorists. Motorcyclists should also avoid riding in between vehicles or making sudden lane changes. And as always, riders should obey the speed limit, keep a safe following distance, and wear full protective gear.
As the head of an organization that is fully committed to keeping the motorcyclists and motorists in this state as safe as possible, I cannot stress enough how important it is for both groups to be attentive to one another when traveling. By working together, the statistics cited above can decline even further.

Harrington is chief administrator, NJ Motor Vehicle Commission