JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Motorcyclists often seem invisible to drivers in cars and SUVs, and with an increasing number of bikes on the road, the state is seeing more motorcycle-related accidents, injuries and deaths.

For one family, the death of their 18-year-old son, Kris McElhenny, who lost his life in a motorcycle accident on Mother's Day 2002, prompted a new effort to have drivers: "Be Nice, Look Twice and Save a Life."

"Since 2002, Kris is one of 1,442 motorcyclists that have been killed," McElhenny's mother, Tina McElhenny, said Monday during a safety campaign.

Knowing that motorcycle-related fatalities have increased 25 percent in the past decade, the teen's family unveiled a new billboard campaign with the goal of lowering the number of fatalities and injuries.

McElhenny said she doesn't want another family to feel the pain and loss that she experienced.

"If we could just save one life through this billboard, it's one life that we have left here for a family to love. I don't want anyone to go missing their children or loved ones," McElhenny said.

Billboards promoting drivers to be nice, look twice, and save a life will be placed around the state.

Local police officials said motorcyclists on the road face a special challenge because they are virtually invisible to many drivers.

"Invisible and very vulnerable. In fact, Florida now has over 520,000 registered motorcyclist. So, we really want to encourage automobile drivers to be nice, look twice, and you could save a life -- you really can," said Sheriff John Rutherford.

In Florida last year, there were more than 8,000 crashes, almost 7,300 injuries and 441 motorcyclists who lost their lives.

"There are no minor crashes involving motorcycles. We've had one fatality so far this year and after 40 crashes, over half of those resulted in serious injuries. So, it's very important for motorcyclists and for automobile drivers to be aware of one another," said Sheriff Rick Beseler.

McElhenny said the statewide safety campaign has been her life's work and that goal is to make sure that no other mother, father, sister, or brother has to face the pain and emptiness that her family has had to feel.