Brenda Herl
1423S Shawnee Ct.
Arnold, M0 63010
636-296-6565
Jherl@swbell.net

Federal Highway Administrations
Office of Transportation Operations

To Whom It May Concern:

Just briefly let me tell you the reason behind this request to change o add to our existing Left Turn and Yield signs currently on our streets and highways. A driver turning left in front my brother, at a yield intersection on MM and new Highway 21 killed my only brother Billy J. Mitchell Jr. on his motorcycle on 4/02/03. Same old story the driver did not "see" him until it was to late. When the real reason was the driver wasn't thinking of looking for a motorcycle he was looking for the more normal vehicle a car or truck. Yes, I agree motorcycles are harder to see than a larger vehicle, but I also believe that the average person is so use to the same old yield sign and in the days past there was not that many motorcycles on the road and we have been taught in drivers training to yield to all moving vehicles, but not taught that a motorcycle is one of them. (Please let me add at this time I am now working with the Fox C-6 school district to get this changed, they will be adding Motorcycle Awareness to their student drivers training classes this June.) I believe it is time for a change. l also believe if we add to our existing signs and of course begin educating drivers that motorcyclist deserve that extra look it may take to see them. I have attached a separate sheet with an example of what I am trying to say.

Our Left Turn Signal that is on every red light intersection. First let me say we don't need yet another sign on our highways, there is so many now that most people don't even read them or fly by them and not see them at all. So my thought is if we add (please see example on next page) the words LOOK TWICE-PEDESESTRIANS - MOTORCYCLES-BICYLES to our existing signs we could actually eliminate some of the other signs that are out there, like share the road with bicycles, watch for pedestrians and so on. You can even use the same left turn sign we now have by adding a frame around it and using the same existing screws to hold it on to the light post.

Over time people will automatically start thinking to Look Twice befo re they make that left turn and while sitting watching for the light to turn green they will read that new sign and it will be read over and over again at every red light intersection. It seems so simple to me, it's bond to help. I am sure you know, the statistics on fatal motorcycle accidents- 2/3 are caused by a driver turning left in front of them and then of course we have been taught as pedestrians that the safest place to cross the stre et is at red light intersection. Bicycles are too of course at risk, but most states now have bike trails for them.

Please consider this carefully; this simple change would save so many careless deaths. Please try to rush this suggestion along the paper trail, there are so many people out there waiting for someone to save them from that next fatal careless left turn or failure to yield accident.

Sincerely,
/s/

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