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Commissioners proclaim Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month after ER doctor's crash testimony
Summary
Hidalgo County declared May 2026 Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and heard a firsthand account from an emergency physician who recounted a severe motorcycle crash, urging drivers to watch for cyclists and riders to adopt safety measures.
The Hidalgo County Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and urged county residents to be mindful of motorcyclists on the road.
Michael Minowski, an emergency physician and emergency medicine residency program director, told the court he was once struck by a vehicle while riding a motorcycle and described serious personal injuries. “My knee had been dislocated, and I ended up being transported to the facility where I was training,” he said, recounting surgeries and recovery that prompted his advocacy for rider awareness and DOT-approved protective gear.
Minowski asked the court and the community to promote safe riding practices, including checking mirrors and blind spots, using turn signals, maintaining safe following distances, and wearing Department of Transportation–approved helmets. The court moved and approved the proclamation after the remarks.
Commissioners and emergency responders who spoke during the item emphasized outreach and enforcement partnerships between the county, TxDOT, local hospitals, and precinct constables to reduce motorcycle-related injuries.
