Illinois State Police Stress Motorcycle Safety

Illinois State Police say motorcycles account for 3 percent of all vehicles on roads, but make up 15 percent of state traffic fatalities.

Motorcycle crashes last year in west-central Illinois left 4 people dead.

While troopers urge drivers to be extra cautious around motorcycles, State Police are planning extra enforcement details targeting safety and license violations of the bike riders.

Statistics show 25 percent of riders involved in crashes did not have the proper classification.  Motorcycle licenses fall into 2 classes in Illinois: Class L for 50 to 150 cc engine displacement, and Class M for over 150 cc.  Bikes under 50 cc require a regular drivers’ license.

Although eye protection is required for motorcycles ridden on Illinois roads, helmets are optional.  Trooper say regardless of the law, helmets provide an extra margin of protection in a crash.