Thunder Beach Rally Safety Ride from Georgia to Florida
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mattmontgomery at: 5/12/2010 |
Photos and News Story from the Thunder Beach Rally Safety Ride from Georgia to Florida  During the last week of April, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) and local motorcycle enthusiasts kicked off a two-day ride to Florida to promote motorcycle safety. Beginning with a kickoff from Clayton County Harley Davidson in Morrow, GA and including a news conference at the GA/FL state line, GOHS Motorcycle Safety Planner Fred Huff and riders from across Georgia and Alabama were involved in “Taking It To The Street” to spread the Share the Road message to motorists and raise awareness about motorcycle safety in areas facing high crash rates, deaths, and injuries. ADDITIONAL PICTURES CAN BE FOUND AT THE WE HUNT AT NIGHT WEBSITE LOCATED AT HTTP://WWW.WEHUNTATNIGHT.COM.         Motorcycle awareness tour stops in AlbanySpecial Thanks to WALB TV in Albany ALBANY, GA (WALB) -Motorcycle enthusiasts hit the road today to spread an important message, never drink and ride. It's called "Ride Straight State to State" and it kicks off motorcycle safety awareness month. Today a representative with the Governors Office of Highway Safety paid a visit to the local Harley Davidson. The group will then make their way to the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally in Panama City. "We have a lot of fatalities on that route going to and from that destination and we want to try and make it a safer mode of enjoyment of Georgia roadways especially," said Frederick Huff, Motorcycle Safety Planner with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The Thunder beach motorcycle rally is one of the largest motorcycle rallies, They expect about 150,000 bikes over the week. Thunder Beach organizers encourage bikers to ride responsibly Special thanks to WJHG in Panama City for the Story Panama City Beach- This weekend's Thunder Beach Rally is settling into new surroundings. Organizers moved the event headquarters to the Bay Point Marriott for safety reasons. Crews are making improvements to Thomas Drive, in front of the usual Thunder Beach home at the Boardwalk Resort. But road work is not the only safety hazard organizers are hoping the visiting bikers will avoid. "It's best not the drink and drive period. But if you do, park it at 4 or 5 and then have a good time." Thunder Beach has always been about big bikes, big crowds and big parties. That's all well and good. But federal authorities say too many bikers are also taking big risks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 41% of all motorcycle deaths are alcohol related. Angela Miller agrees, a biker from Michigan, agrees. "Here and at home we see people drink and get on their bikes all the time. It's one of those things poeple can say "I don't feel drunk," but you don't have to feel drunk to be drunk. Think about your family." Hundreds of others feel the same. Riders, from Georgia, Alabama and Florida met at the state line Thursday afternoon to make a statement for safe choices while on the road. "It's so important for motorcyclists to take personal responsability meaning that they need to make sure that they are riding sober," said Frederick Huff, a biker from Georgia. They plan to hold each other accountable this weekend while they're here for Thunder Beach. "Being on two wheels out in the open air enjoying this beautiful scenery is enough intoxication, you don't need any kind of illicit drugs in the mix, it's a deadly mix," said Huff. Florida is one of only a few states to see a reduction in motorcycle fatalities the past two years. TO VIEW OTHER GOHS NEWS ITEMS, CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GOHS HOME PAGE, CLICK HERE | |
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