Spectrum News 1 -- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is calling on all drivers to be alert for motorcyclists as the weather continues to improve.
According to the transportation officials, around 535,000 Wisconsin residents hold a motorcycle license or permit. May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. According to the National Higway Traffic Safety Administration, of the motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2017, 29% were riding without valid motorcycle licenses. Motorcyclists are overrepresented in traffic-related fatalities, accounting for 14% of all traffic-related fatalities, even though riders make up just 3% of the entire registered motor vehicle fleet.
In Wisconsin, anyone who drives a motorcycle must have a Class M motorcycle license or motorcycle instruction permit. Applicants for a Class M motorcycle license must either pass aWisconsin Department of Transportation administered motorcycle driving skills test or provide a completion certficiate from a Wisconsin DMV approved rider course. You can find a rider course in your area when you click here.