The National Safety Council has declared May as Motorcycle Safety Month and Perry Police Chief Dan Brickner says what you wear could save your life.

“Wearing a helmet drastically improves your chances of surviving an accident and drastically reduces of serious injury and recovery time after an accident” says Brickner.

But it’s not just your head that needs protecting.  Brickner says it’s crucial to make sure others on the road can see you.

“Bright clothing that’s very visible, whether it’s that orange that you see on traffic signs, whether it’s that lime green, light green, yellow. Those types of colors make you more visible and more noticeable and it’s important to wear those types of things when you’re riding” says Brickner

Chief Brickner adds that it’s also important to remember to always drive defensively regardless of the mode of transportation you’re using.

More than 4,600 motorcyclists died in 2011, equal to about 14 percent of total fatalities for the year.  Of those killed, 60 percent of motorcycle drivers and 49 percent of passengers were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.