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St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - Minnesota officials are urging motorcyclists and motorists to use extreme caution this weekend during the annual Spring Flood Run.

Thousands of motorcyclists are expected to cruise the highways on both sides of the Mississippi and St. Croix River's from the Twin Cities to Winona on Saturday to commemorate and celebrate the response of a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who traveled from the Twin Cities to help with the clean up following the devastating 1965 flood.

 

The Department of Public Safety says motorcycle riders need to take safety into their own hands and motorists need to look twice for motorcyclists.

RIDERS

  • Be prepared for inattentive drivers by staying focused on riding, keeping your speed in check and maintaining a two-second following distance.
  • Wear the gear. Motorcyclists should wear a DOT-approved helmet and brightly colored protective gear for visibility and protection.
  • Don’t drink and ride. One-third of all motorcycle fatalities involve impaired riders.

MOTORISTS

  • Watch for motorcycles. Due to the smaller size of motorcycles, their speed and distance is more difficult to judge.
  • Always look twice before entering a roadway, turning left or changing lanes.
    Give riders room by maintaining a three​-second following distance and check blind spots.
  • Pay attention and drive at safe speeds.

"We want riders to enjoy the spring ride and make it home safely. That takes motorcyclists and other motorists working together to share the road,” says Lt. Gordon Shank, Minnesota State Patrol. “Motorcyclists should ride sober and ride at their own pace in groups, while other motorists should give riders space and diligently check blind spots before changing lanes and at intersections.”

The Minnesota State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies in southeastern Minnesota are planning extra patrols this weekend in hopes of preventing any tragedies from occurring.

This will be the 56th annual Spring Flood Run, which was canceled last year due to the COVID pandemic. The official event is headquartered at the Beach Bar in St. Croix Beach Minnesota and raises money for the Gillette Children's Hospital.

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