Lawmaker proposes motorcycle safety bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - An Illinois lawmaker wants motorcycle safety to be a formal part of driver's education courses.

The proposal by Republican Rep. Tom Bennett of Gibson City would amend the driver's education act in the Illinois School Code to require that all behind the wheel instruction include lessons on motorcycle safety and awareness "to ensure students understand their surroundings when operating a motor vehicle."

The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises reports (http://bit.ly/1MrMcq4 ) that Bennett says the concern was raised by constituents in his central Illinois district.

The state Department of Transportation reports that motorcycle fatalities made up 15 percent of all vehicle fatalities in 2013.

Bennett says he purposely kept the language in the proposal general to give schools flexibility.

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Online: www.ilga.gov

The bill is HB1410