• In 2003, the latest year for which GOHS has complete data, 1610 people died on Georgia highways. Of those fatalities, 488 victims died in alcohol-related crashes. Thirty percent of Georgia's fatality crashes were alcohol-related in 2003.
• Studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that Americans support tougher DUI enforcement and consider impaired driving an important social issue, ahead of health care, poverty, the environment and gun control.
• Nearly 97 percent of Americans view drinking and driving by others as a threat to their families and themselves.
• The majority of Americans also support increased enforcement efforts like sobriety checkpoints to protect innocent victims from drunk drivers.

Some of the facts for impaired motocyclists are:

• NHTSA data also shows that motorcycle operators have the highest incidence of drunk driving-related fatal crashes nationwide. Nationally in 2003, motorcycles accounted for 29 percent, light trucks for 22 percent, passenger cars for 22 percent, and large trucks for 1 percent of all fatals crashes where a driver had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level of 0.08 and above.
• Furthermore, almost half (44 percent) of the 1,501 motorcycle operators nationwide who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2003 were intoxicated.
• In 2004, motorcycle rider fatalities rose for the seventh year in a row and exceeded 4,000 deaths nationally for the frist time since 1987.
• In Georgia, 111 people died on motorcycles in 2004. (The national total for 2003 was 3,714 killed in motorcycle crashes).
• In Georgia, 103 people died on motorcycles in 2003. (The national total for 2003 was 3,714 killed in motorcycle crashes).
• Georgia saw a 14% increase in the number of motorcyclists involved in traffic crashes from 2003-2004.
• Motorcycle operators are 25 times more likely to die in a traffic crash than other passenger vehicle occupants.
• Thirty percent of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding.
• One out of four motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes was driving with an invalid license.
• Motorcycle riders are four times more likely to be intoxicated when killed in crashes at night.
• Motorcyclists in fatal crashes have higher intoxication rates than any other type of driver.

There were approximately 150 motorcycles,100 patrol cars and over 300 participants at the news conference. Additionally, the Georgia State Patrol and the Atlanta Police helicopters were displayed. GSP and APD aviation units have been instrumental in the 100 Days of Summer HEAT motorcycle enforcement initiatives throughout the summer. Also on hand were the Atlanta Police BAT Mobile, the Clayton County Police BAT Mobile and the Central Region Traffic Enforcement Network BAT Trailer.

GOHS also was honored to have many distinguished guests to speak during the event. People such as NHTSA Regional Director Belinda Jackson, MADD Georgia Executive Director LaTresse N. Snead, Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington, and Georgia State Patrol Lt. Colonel Arthur White joined GOHS Director Bob Dallas in emphasing the importance of getting drunk drivers off the roadways of Georgia. Other guests included DeKalb County Prosecutor Shawn Lagrua, Georgia State Patrol PIO Larry Schnall, and the Blue Knights Chapter VII Atlanta who generously provided lunch to all riders.

One of the more touching moments was when police and civilian motorcycle riders in the crowd joined together to form a motorcade from Turner Field, down I-75 to the Clayton County Harley Davidson in honor of veteran Atlanta Police Department Detective Emory G. Munford. Detective Munford was killed on his motorcycle by a drunk driver on October 2, 2004. Detective Munford's brother, Donnie Munford, and his fiance, Reina Ruiz, were both on hand to join the memorial and to stress that drunk drivers have a negative impact on the lives of all Georgians.

Below are some of the photographs from the August 19th event. Click on each photo for a larger image.