Georgia Safety Officials Urge Drivers to Look Twice for Motorcycles as Crash Deaths Remain High Across the State Amid Fall Riding Season

ATLANTA, GA — State safety officials are reminding Georgia drivers to pay closer attention to motorcycles as more riders head out in cooler weather. The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program says a moment of awareness can be the difference between a routine drive and a deadly crash.

The warning comes as the fall riding season continues and motorcycle traffic picks up on roads across the state. Officials say drivers should slow down, avoid distractions, check blind spots and look twice before turning or changing lanes.

The message is simple, but the stakes are serious. In 2025, 175 motorcyclists died in crashes in Georgia, a number that was slightly lower than the year before but still a reminder of how vulnerable riders remain.

Georgia counted 175 motorcycle deaths in 2025

The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program said 175 motorcyclists were killed in crashes statewide in 2025. Officials described the total as a modest decline from 2024, but not a reason to relax attention on the road.

Holly Hegyesi, manager of the program, said motorists need to stay alert for motorcycles at all times because the vehicles are small and easy to miss. She added that most motorcycle-vehicle crashes happen on city streets rather than highways.

That point matters because many drivers tend to think of higher-speed highways as the most dangerous place for riders. State safety officials say the opposite is often true, with neighborhood roads and busy intersections creating frequent risk.

Atlanta metro counties and rural areas saw frequent crashes

Officials said crashes were especially common in the Atlanta metro area, including DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb and Gwinnett counties. The state also saw repeated crashes in rural counties such as Bibb, Towns, Lumpkin, Union and Chatham.

The pattern shows that motorcycle danger is not limited to one kind of road or one part of Georgia. Busy urban streets, suburban arterials and rural routes can all pose serious threats when drivers fail to notice riders.

The program did not tie the crash numbers to one single cause in each county. Instead, it used the statewide data to reinforce a broader warning: drivers should expect motorcycles to be present, especially when more riders are out in better weather.

Why motorcycles are easier to miss in traffic

Safety officials say motorcycles are more difficult to spot because of their size and profile. A rider can be visible one moment and then blend into traffic the next, especially if another driver is not actively scanning the road.

Many deadly motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. Common problems include drivers misjudging a motorcycle’s speed or distance, failing to see the rider at all, or not yielding the right-of-way when turning left at intersections.

Officials also stressed that a motorcycle is not just another object on the road. There is a person behind the handlebars, and that person is trying to get home safely like anyone else on the road.

Following distance matters when a bike slows without brake lights

The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program also warned drivers that motorcycles can slow down in ways that are not always obvious. Riders may downshift to reduce speed, especially when approaching curves or changing traffic conditions.

Because downshifting does not necessarily activate brake lights, a driver following too closely may not realize the motorcycle ahead is slowing. That can leave less time to react if traffic changes suddenly.

Officials say leaving extra space behind a motorcycle gives drivers a better chance to see what is happening and respond safely. The advice is especially important in stop-and-go traffic and at intersections where quick decisions can lead to serious harm.

State officials urge simple habits that can save lives

DDS Commissioner Angelique B. McClendon said drivers should slow down, eliminate distractions, check blind spots and look twice before changing lanes or turning. She said safety has to be a shared priority for everyone behind the wheel as more motorcyclists take to Georgia roads.

The program’s advice includes checking blind spots before merging, giving motorcycles extra following distance and staying focused on the road instead of phones or other distractions. Officials also urged drivers to expect more motorcycles during the warmer months and whenever riding season is active.

Hegyesi said riders can help by making smart choices, wearing protective gear and getting training. But she emphasized that drivers play a major role in preventing crashes because one careless move can change a life in an instant.

Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program says awareness is a shared responsibility

The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program is part of the Georgia Department of Driver Services. It oversees motorcycle rider education and works to improve traffic safety and awareness across the state.

The group’s campaign message, “See the Bike. See the Rider. Save a Life,” reflects its broader push for shared responsibility on the road. Officials want drivers to remember that every motorcycle represents a person with family, friends and plans to get home safely.

As riding season continues, the program is asking motorists to slow down, stay alert and make the extra effort to notice motorcycles before making a move. In officials’ view, that extra second of caution can prevent a tragedy.