NCAST | North Carolina Alliance For Safe Transportation

May is Motorcycle Safety Month

Our Vision

All North Carolinians getting where they are going safely.

While North Carolina has a dynamic community of issue-specific transportation safety advocates, what was missing was one organization with expertise in conducting high-impact public communications efforts, providing effective grassroots and grasstops citizen engagement, and serving to champion public policies that promote better behaviors to combat perils to safety across all forms and manner of transportation.

The North Carolina Alliance for Safe Transportation (NCAST) was created to be that organization, with one goal in mind: reduce the number of transportation-related crashes, injuries and fatalities in North Carolina.

Our Mission

To drive behaviors that promote and encourage safe use of North Carolina’s transportation network.

A major focus of NCAST is promoting awareness of safety issues specific to younger motorists.

Teen drivers are especially at risk on the roads, with vehicle crashes the leading cause of death in America among those under 21.

The inexperience and impulsiveness of teen drivers is a significant reason for their high crash rates, making important the safety features of the vehicles they drive as well as getting plenty of supervised driving practice.

Initiatives

Funding for Wildlife Crossings

Wildlife crashes cost over $10 billion and kill over 200 people in the U.S. every year. Wildlife crossings are a cost-effective solution that helps animals cross roads safely
and protects drivers from collisions.

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Flagger Force Work Zone Safety Campaign

Rick Pierce, Tiffany Wright, Joe Stewart, and Michael Gilchrist are presented with a check for $20,000 from Flagger Force, to support a public service ad campaign to promote better driving behavior in work zones on North Carolina roads and highways.

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May Is Bicycle Safety Month

Bicycling is good for the environment and your health. It’s good for your wallet, too: Bicycling is an inexpensive and reliable way to get to the places you want to go. Fewer vehicles on the road means less traffic air pollution. Unlike motor vehicles, bicycles produce zero carbon footprint. U.S. Census reports have shown that people in low-income, marginalized communities and communities of color often rely on walking and biking as their main sources of transportation. This means safer bicycling is critical in addressing transportation inequities.

While bicycle safety is important year-round, during National Bicycle Safety Month in May we bring heightened awareness to the issue.

For Drivers

Traffic safety is a shared responsibility. When driving, look out for bicyclists and never drive distracted or impaired. Bicyclists do not have the same protections as a vehicle.
If you see a bicyclist, slow down: The higher the vehicle speed, the higher the likelihood a bicyclist will be seriously injured or killed if struck.

For Bicyclists

Just like seat belts help save lives in a motor vehicle crash, bicycle helmets save lives, too. When biking, always wear a helmet.
Compared to vehicles, bikes are harder to see because of their smaller size. To make it easier for drivers to see you, have reflectors and lights on your bike, and wear retroreflective and bright clothing.

MAY SPOTLIGHT:

LOOK TWICE, AND SHARE THE ROAD.

May is Motorcycle Safety Month. Motorists should be aware more than half of fatal motorcycle crashes result from collisions with other vehicles. Drivers simply don’t see the motorcycle or misjudge its distance and speed. Their smaller profile can make them appear farther away then they actually are. This combined with congested roadways and distracted driving leads to many preventable fatalities and injuries each year.

When getting ready to ride, always wear a quality, DOT- or Snell-Approved helmet along with other appropriate safety clothing. Remember to inspect your bike and gear before climbing on, and once you’re rolling – ride defensively!

Be aware of the blind spots of nearby drivers, give yourself extra space when you can, and always obey traffic laws and regulations.