4/30/2007
May is Motorcycle Awareness Month
Note: The following is being resent for news media that may have missed Monday's distribution.
BOISE - Motorcycle riders now account for one out of every 10 highway fatalities nationally each year, with motorcyclist deaths from traffic crashes rising each of the last eight years. Idaho statistics follow that trend, steadily rising over the past five years at an average of 9.7 each year.
That's why the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced today that it is joining with other federal, state and local highway safety and law enforcement organizations in proclaiming May 2007 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. During the month, all motorists will be reminded to safely "Share the Road" with motorcycles and to be extra alert when driving to help keep motorcyclists safe.
In 2005, a total of 625 Idaho motorcyclists were involved in collisions, and 87.2 percent received some form of injury.
Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable during a crash than passenger vehicle drivers. Research shows that approximately 80 percent of motorcycle crashes injure or kill a motorcycle rider, while only 20 percent of passenger car crashes injure or kill a driver or passenger in their vehicle.
Motorcyclists often are hidden in a vehicle's blind spot or missed in a quick look because of their smaller size. ITD reminds all drivers to look twice for motorcycles.
Because motorcycle crashes are increasing in Idaho, ITD and the Skills Training Advantage for Riders (STAR) program also partnered to create a public service announcement that will air statewide throughout the month. The PSA focuses on increasing awareness about motorcycles.
Several motorcycle safety awareness rallies are planned for Saturday (May 5) in Idaho:
Boise
- Pre-ride rally begins at 11 a.m. at Sandy Point Park
- Motorcycle parade to the MK Plaza begins at 1 p.m.
- Post-ride barbecue hosted by the Idaho Christian Motorcycle Association (ICMS) immediately following the motorcycle parade
- For
more information, call Chuc Coulter
at (208) 345-6323 or Justin Crawford, both with ICMS, at (208)
863-4280
- Pre-ride rally begins at 10 a.m. at Bonneville High School
- Ride to Freeman Park at 11:30 a.m.
- Post-ride rally and barbecue at Freeman Park; cost is $6 per person
- For
more information, contact Cinda
Hammond with ICMS at (208) 522-8040 or send e-mail questions to momnpop@srv.net
- Pre-ride rally begins at 10 a.m. at Kootenai County Courthouse
- Motorcycle parade begins at 11 a.m. and continues to the Northwest Classics Bike Show and Swap Meet
- For more information, call Norman at (208) 582-2262 or Moose at (208) 245-2320