A procession of flag-carrying motorcycles ride from Fort Worth into Arlington today reminding drivers to share the road following a rise in fatal crashes.
The Texas Patriot Guard Riders are helping promote Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month by riding in formation while carrying flags emblazoned with appeals to "Look Twice for Motorcycles" and "Share the Road" Thursday.
In 2013, crashes killed 494 motorcyclists in Texas, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. That is up from 470 motorcycle-related deaths in 2012.
The ride departed Fort Worth at about 10:30 a.m. and headed to AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Fort Worth police escorted the procession, which was to head through Fort Worth to Interstate 30 before heading east into Arlington.
Riders tell NBC 5 it's more dangerous on the road than ever because of technology.
"People just take it for granted that they can text and drive at the same time, and you can pass somebody going down the highway and they're paying more attention to their handheld phone than they are what's actually going on beside them," said motorcyclist Cliff Wooley.
Police say the best advice they can give drivers is the simplest, check your blind spots twice.
"I think people are not really paying attention. They're not looking for motorcycles generally so they get distracted. And if they're not looking, they're not seeing." said Arlington Police Department motorcycle officer Cpl. Dick Hill.
The event Thursday coincided with Motorcycle Safety Awareness month.
