May is designated Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The Ohio State Highway Patrol and various motorcycle organizations will be conducting a variety of activities to promote the importance of motorist awareness and sharing the road with motorcyclists.

The Patrol, along with the American Motorcyclists Association, will continue the Ride Smart, Drive Smart campaign.

Motorcycle deaths in Ohio are up 35% in the last 3 years, with 213 deaths last year as opposed to 190 in 2007.

Already this year, one person in Crawford County has been killed and April 24th saw 41-year-old Chevette Jessie killed while a passenger on a Harley Motorcycle on E. Center Street in Marion.

There are three key messages as part of the Ride Smart, Drive Smart program: ride trained and licensed, ride sober, and drive aware.