Allstate Installs Permanent Warning Signs to Promote Motorcycle Safety at Dangerous Intersections

NORTHBROOK, Ill., May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to help standardize warning signs for motorcycle safety and help reduce the number of motorcycle crashes at intersections involving other vehicles, Allstate Insurance Company announced today plans to permanently install motorcycle warning signs in more than 30 U.S. cities this year. Currently, there is no standard sign for motorcycle awareness.

The yellow, diamond shaped warning sign was created following two years of development, which included 140 temporary installations in various U.S. cities between 2010 and 2011.  The signs were designed to establish a standardized warning device that can be used by any local or state agency and would be recognizable to riders and motorists across the country. Simply reading, "Watch for Motorcycles," the sign was developed by Allstate as part of its "Once is Never Enough" (ONE) program – an awareness campaign that encourages people to look twice for motorcycles at intersections.

"Allstate set out to create a standardized warning sign to help increase motorcycle safety at dangerous intersections," said Keith Rutman, vice president of Allstate's Consumer Household unit. "As more and more of the 'Watch for Motorcycles' signs are installed across the country, we hope that riders and motorists will familiarize themselves with the message and remember to always look twice at intersections, because once is never enough."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 46 percent of all multi-vehicle crashes occur at intersections, oftentimes as a result of a vehicle turning left, impeding the motorcyclist's right-of-way. 

"Every day in the U.S., an average of three motorcyclists are killed at intersections in crashes that involve other vehicles, and that's unacceptable," Rutman said.

Through its ONE program, Allstate works with local traffic authorities to identify dangerous intersections for riders and then donates and installs warning signs at the determined locations to increase awareness of motorcycles.

To kick off National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (May), the first permanent installation of the "Watch for Motorcycles" warning signs will take place today in Atlanta. Working closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation, Allstate is donating and installing the warning signs to help prevent motorcycle crashes at dangerous intersections in the future. Additional signs will be installed in other cities across the country throughout the year.

Allstate is also encouraging people throughout the month of May to take the ONE Pledge – committing to look twice for motorcycles at intersections – and share with at least ONE other person to spread the message. For every pledge shared, Allstate will donate ONE dollar toward the creation and installation of more "Watch for Motorcycles" signs at dangerous intersections across the country. To take the ONE Pledge and help make our roads a safer place to ride, visit Facebook.com/AllstateMotorcycle.

American comedian and actor Bill Engvall will also join Allstate in its quest to protect riders and help spread a motorcycle awareness message. Best known for his work as a member of the Blue Collar Comedy group, Engvall has partnered with Allstate after experiencing firsthand how important motorcycle awareness is for all drivers.

"As a person who's had someone very close to me involved in a serious motorcycle crash and as a rider myself, I jumped at the chance to work with Allstate on this important campaign," said Bill Engvall. "I've made a living making jokes about signs of the obvious, but here's one sign that carries a vital message and is no laughing matter."

Now in its fourth year, Allstate's ONE program has evolved from general motorcycle awareness education, to installing temporary warning signs at dangerous intersections in more than 30 cities over the past two years, to the permanent installations of the new warning signs promoting motorcycle safety.

Allstate will continue to work with local departments of transportation across the country to identify dangerous intersections and donate and install additional signs in the future.

About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. As part of Allstate's commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.

SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company