Wild Hogs Motorcycle Safety Awareness Day in Georgia

about wild hogs motorcycle safety awareness day

HOLLYWOOD HELPS GOVERNOR PROMOTE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS IN GEORGIA

On behalf of the citizens of Georgia, Governor Sonny Perdue proclaimed February 6, 2007 as “Wild Hogs Motorcycle Safety Awareness Day” in Georgia to coincide with the release of a new motorcycling road-trip comedy film starring Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and William H Macy. The Governor welcomed the cast of the movie to a motorcycle safety news conference on the steps of the State Capitol Tuesday, February 6th.

This event was designed to remind motorists of the seasonal return of many motorcycle enthusiasts to Georgia’s highways. “Thousands of Georgia citizens enjoy riding motorcycles”, said Governor Sonny Perdue. “I encourage all Georgia drivers to be cautious and observe these smaller vehicles as they return to Georgia’s highways this spring.”

Although the “Wild Hogs” movie is all in fun, the reason behind Georgia’s motorcycle awareness campaign is a very serious one. “During recent years, Georgia has experienced a steady increase in fatal motorcycle crashes”, says Director Bob Dallas of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. In 2005 alone, 144 motorcyclists died on Georgia roads. The number of motorcycle fatalities has tripled here in the last ten years.

Visibility is a key issue. Most motorcycle crashes occur during daylight hours. That’s why motorists are encouraged to always be aware of motorcycles whether making lane changes or passing other vehicles.. and especially at intersections. “Due to their smaller size, motorcycles may be easily overlooked in the traffic flow, particularly if traffic is heavy or the driver is in a hurry,” says GOHS Director Dallas, who is himself a motorcycle rider. “Motorists need to be continually alert when making left turns to insure that a motorcycle is not coming straight through the intersection.”

Motorists also need to share the road and remember that a motorcycle is entitled to a full lane. Keeping a safe distance from motorcycles allows the operators opportunity to quickly maneuver to avoid road hazards or other traffic conditions.

Highway safety officials and Georgia motorcyclists ask that all highway users get in the habit of looking for motorcycles as they drive, not just during the safety awareness month but throughout the entire year. Sharing the road safely is an important responsibility for all motorists.

But motorcyclists must remember they have an equal share of safety responsibility on the road. Over two-thirds of car-motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers of other motor vehicles, not by motorcyclists. The other driver either does not see the oncoming motorcyclist at all, or does not see the motorcyclist in time to avoid a crash. “So, riders should always operate their motorcycles in a defensive manner, within the rules of the road,” says GOHS Deputy Director Rob Mikell, “and be constantly prepared to take evasive action if necessary.” Deputy Director Mikell is also a Georgia motorcycle rider. “Motorcyclists should be attired with proper protective riding apparel, including a DOT-rated motorcycle safety helmet,” says Mikell.

Operators are encouraged to enroll in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation training offered through the Georgia Department of Driver Services. It’s important both legally and for safety purposes that every rider has a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license and that motorcycles are properly licensed.

Motorcyclists must keep in mind that weather conditions, road surfaces and fatigue pose greater problems to them than to other motorists. Motorcycles should be kept in good operating condition using safety and maintenance checks found in the owner’s manual. “And it just makes sense that motorcycle operators should keep themselves alert and in optimum highway condition as well,“ says Deputy Director Mikell. “That’s why motorcyclists should avoid the use of alcoholic beverages before and during the operation of the motorcycle. There’s an abnormally high occurrence of crashes, death and injury among motorcyclists when alcohol or drugs are added to the equation.”

“So the target audience of our awareness campaign includes both vehicle drivers and motorcycle operators,” says GOHS Director Dallas. “Our principle concerns are to increase driver recognition of motorcyclists in traffic, while at the same time encouraging motorcyclists to engage in the overall safe operation of their motorcycles.”

To receive free brochures about “What You Need to Know About Motorcycle Safety” visit the GOHS website at www.gahighwaysafety.org . For more information about Georgia’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program and how to help drivers and riders be more aware of each other while traveling in Georgia, contact Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Program Planner Fred Huff at 404-651-8457.

defimg Governor Perdue's Remarks at the Wild Hogs Motorcycle Safety Event

Wild Hogs Motorcycle Safety
6 February 2007

Good afternoon. I’m happy to welcome some special guests to the Georgia State Capitol today – we have with us the stars of Wild Hogs, an upcoming comedy that tells the story of four men who decide to go on a motorcycle adventure.

Please welcome Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy.

We are all looking forward to the Wild Hogs movie coming out on March 2. But this promotional tour serves another purpose – educating people about safe driving practices, both in cars and on motorcycles.

Riding a motorcycle safely and responsibly takes training and sound judgment.

Automobile drivers need to take heed, too – motorcycles are much smaller than cars, and they can be tough to see. Drivers must give motorcycles plenty of room – don’t follow closely, and give them a full lane of travel.

A hundred motorcyclists a year are killed in Georgia. This is a fact that is hard to swallow, especially because there is such a simple solution – responsible driving.

We all need to exercise patience and caution – to be aware of our surroundings, to check our blind spots, put on our seatbelt or helmet . . . and, above all, don’t speed!

You all should know by now – I’m a data-driven decision maker. Well folks, I’ve seen the numbers – and they say we’ve got to do something about accidents on our roads.

The overall cost of all these crashes in Georgia is getting close to $8 billion a year. But it gets worse.

Last year more than 1700 Georgians were killed on our roadways – folks, that’s a life taken every 5 hours.

At least 20% of our accidents are caused by speeding, and Atlanta is one of the fastest metro areas in the country.

There is also a clear link between the people who speed and drive recklessly, causing deadly accidents on our roadways and rising strain on our trauma centers.

So we’re going after speeders in Georgia. We’ve got a two-pronged approach: First, we’ll increase fines for those who drive at excessive speeds – and those with dangerous driving histories. And second, those fines will go towards funding a statewide trauma care network.

We’re going to make the people that repeatedly cause accidents pay for them, and I hope that these increased fines will give them another incentive to stop their behavior.

We’ll be introducing this “Super Speeder” bill on Thursday when the legislature comes back in session.

I thank the Georgia State Patrol motorcycle unit for being with us today. This elite new force started patrolling the metro area last month, and they are charged with responding quickly to accidents – and with enforcing the laws of our roadways.

The motorcycle unit will be a strong partner in combating speeding and reckless driving.

And I’d also like to recognize Athens Police Officer Von Anderson and his wife, April. Officer Anderson is here with us today thanks to good riding training and the right safety equipment. He was in a serious motorcycle accident while on-duty last month.

Before setting out that day, he took some precautions, including wearing a helmet, boots, gloves and his police issue body armor vest . . . in addition to having extensive training and experience. These are the things that saved his life.

He’s recovering. But Officer Anderson is here with us today, in uniform and in wheelchair, to serve as a sobering reminder of the life-saving importance of motorcycle safety equipment and training.

Wearing a helmet saved his life. That’s the kind of story we want here in Georgia – we want to see people making simple, responsible decisions that will save lives.

And in that spirit, I am proud to proclaim today Wild Hogs Motorcycle Safety Day.

[Governor presented proclamation]

We also have a token of our appreciation for the stars of Wild Hogs – I am proud to present a gift on behalf of the people of Georgia and the Georgia State Patrol, Clayton County Harley Davidson and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

And now, let’s hear from the stars of Wild Hogs.

wild hogs day motorcycle safety day proclamation

A Proclamation by the Governor

Whereas, motorcycle riding is a popular form of transportation and recreation for thousands across Georgia and the nation; and

Whereas, the safe operation of motorcycles requires the use of special skills developed through a combination of training and experience, the use of good judgment, and a through knowledge of traffic laws and licensing requirements; and

Whereas, the new movie Wild Hogs is a humorous portrayal of the joys of motorcycle riding and road trips for those individuals newly acquainted to the world of motorcycles; and

Whereas, the stars of Wild Hogs, Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and William H. Macy learned about the importance of motorcycle rider education for overall personal safety while filming the movie; and

Whereas, motorcycle organizations, clubs, dealerships, groups, and highway safety officials joining with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety are appreciative of all efforts to promote motorcycle awareness in the mass media; and

Whereas, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety encourages other motor vehicle operators to be cautious and observe these smaller vehicles, especially during the seasonal return of more motorcyclists to Georgia's streets and highways;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SONNY PERDUE, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, do hereby proclaim February 6, 2007 as

WILD HOGS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS DAY

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Georgia to be affixed at the State Capitol in Atlanta this 6th day of February 2007.