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6th District PA House of Representatives I will soon introduce two resolutions to promote motorcycle safety and awareness among both motorcyclists and motor vehicle operators. The first resolution will designate May as "Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month" and the second resolution declares July 16, 2004, as "Ride to Work Day in Pennsylvania." I was recently presented with the Freedom Fighters Award from the American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (A.B.A.T.E.) of Pennsylvania for my efforts in leading the fight to modify the state's mandatory helmet law in the House of Representatives. I firmly maintain that giving motorcyclists the freedom to choose whether or not to wear a helmet does not in any way diminish the importance of promoting increased motorcycle safety. Now that Pennsylvania has become a 'free state' with regards to the personal decision for motorcyclists of whether or not to wear a helmet, it is now more important than ever that we focus on motorcycle safety and awareness. While most Pennsylvanians are familiar with the highly successful 'Buckle up it's the law,' and 'Buckle up for the next million miles,' seat belt awareness campaigns, what is PENNDOT doing to focus on increasing public awareness of motorcycles? To that end, I have already sent a personal letter to Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Allen D. Biehler, asking him if he would support a statewide motorcycle safety awareness campaign such as ABATE's "Look Twice, Save A Life, Motorcycles Are Everywhere" campaign and about working together to establish a network of flashing motorcycle safety signs, billboards and other types of highway signs to further drive home the message of motorcycle safety and awareness to the motoring public, motorcyclists and automobile drivers alike. It's interesting to note that the State of Minnesota actually experienced a lower amount of motorcycle accidents and fatalities even after they repealed their mandatory helmet law. The major motivating factor behind their success was the governor, the legislature and state highway safety officials openly advocating and supporting increased motorcycle safety and public awareness. I believe Pennsylvania can do the same and potentially raise the bar if our state government as a whole exhibits an equal degree of enthusiasm. I look forward to working with Secretary Biehler, the Rendell administration and my colleagues in the General Assembly on this extremely important issue. CapNews Guest Speaker: Archives |
