By Allen & Paula Platt 
GWRRA #142981 • Gilbert, Arizona 

In January of 2000, Paula and I, along with lots of encouragement from GWRRA friends and educators, began promoting a campaign to increase motorist awareness of motorcycles on our highways. Information used in the campaign is primarily from the 1981 Hurt Motorcycle Study conducted at the University of Southern California. This study analyzed every aspect of more than 900 motorcycle accidents and is the most comprehensive cause and effect study ever done relating to motorcycle accidents.

The Hurt Study indicated that over half of all collisions between a motorcycle and vehicle are the result of a motorist failing to yield the right of way. The goal of the “2X4 - Side by Side” campaign is to reduce these collisions by providing information to increase awareness of motorcycles, create an understanding of what to expect from a motorcyclist, and to educate motorists on the most common situations where and why these collisions occur.

The Hurt Study discovered that three quarters of the drivers involved in a collision with a motorcyclist are generally unfamiliar with motorcycles. The “2X4 - Side by Side” campaign encourages every Chapter to have a Motorist Awareness Liaison to promote opportunities to share valuable awareness information with motorists and motorcyclists alike, especially those motorists with little or no familiarity of motorcycles. 

The “2X4 - Side by Side” campaign is more than just a campaign to educate motorists on the most common causes of collisions with motorcycles. As in the name of the campaign, “2X4,” two-wheelers must share the responsibility of awareness. In the long process of striving to educate and increase awareness of motorcycles within the four-wheeler community, it is primarily the motorcyclist’s responsibility to become familiar with what motorists don’t know about motorcycles. The information presented in the “2X4 - Side by Side” brochure highlights the most common situations where a collision between a motorist and motorcyclist is likely to occur.

In promoting the “2X4 - Side by Side” campaign, Chapter Motorist Awareness Liaisons should encourage regular participation in skill enhancement programs and experienced rider courses. By participating in these programs, the motorcyclist is taking responsibility for being prepared to avoid the ultimate result of an unaware motorist – a collision situation. With the skill to brake and swerve accurately and precisely, a collision may be avoided, and that’s the primary goal of the “2X4 - Side by Side” campaign – reduction in collisions between motorists and motorcyclists. 
Chapter Motorist Awareness Liaisons should encourage both motorists and motorcyclists to read over the information in the “2X4 - Side by Side” brochure. The information in the brochure will provide valuable information about situations to be especially aware of, and what situations present the highest level of risk. By learning just a few key points from the Hurt Study, motorcyclists can be prepared to share information with those motorists who are least familiar with motorcycles.

To promote the campaign, Chapters are encouraged to arrange short periods of time to present the information to the public and be available to answer questions. Some suggestions for locations are grocery stores, Department of Motor Vehicles offices and auto parts stores; short presentations of the campaign information to community groups, clubs, and schools are also encouraged.

On the “2X4 - Side by Side” website www.driveaware.org you will find a downloadable “2X4 - Side by Side” brochure, informative links, and the key findings from the Hurt Study. If you would like further information– please contact us at wingerz@driveaware.org  In addition to these materials, bumper stickers may also be ordered by contacting us at info@driveaware.org. 

Since starting the campaign, the information has been presented at numerous public events, community clubs and organizations, GWRRA Chapter, District, and Regional Events, and to several non-GWRRA motorcycle clubs and organizations. Recently, we were thrilled to hear that the Tucson Police Department has considered putting the “2X4” bumper stickers on their force of over 600 police cars! We have been able to support the costs of printing brochures and bumper stickers by soliciting sponsors for the program and selling reflective strips for use on helmets and motorcycles. The sponsors for the program are recognized on the Drive Aware website. Recently volunteers have been stepping forward to promote the campaign by distributing information and arranging campaign appearances. These volunteers are known as “Motorist Awareness Liaisons” for the “2X4” campaign. 

Allen & Paula began working on the “2X4 - Side by Side” campaign after attending their first ERC course in November 1999 and learning how uninformed and unaware motorists are in regards to motorcyclists on the highways. Allen & Paula have been GWRRA Members since September 1999. In their short time with GWRRA they have been active in many aspects of the organization. Allen has served a full term as a Chapter Educator and is a full riding member of the Arizona Precision Drill Team. Allen & Paula are currently serving as AZ-F Chapter Directors.
Even after teaching the 2 x 4 course for more than two years, Allen Platt's right-of-way was violated by a left-turning unaware motorist who forced him off the road on March 28. Recovering from minor injuries now, Allen is even more convinced of the urgency of the 2 x 4 program.

This article originally appeared in Wing World Magazine