New motorcycle safety initiative for Colorado mountain communities

From a press release issued by Drive Smart Evergreen/Conifer...

In 2008, thirteen motorcycle fatalities occurred in Jefferson County, the second highest number in the state (2008 Colorado FARS). Furthermore, six (46%) of those fatalities involved riders with a BAC ≥ 0.08%, more than any other county in Colorado. Nationally in 2007, 28 percent of all fatally injured motorcycle riders had BAC levels of .08 g/dL or higher, a percentage less than half that of Jefferson County (NHTSA 2007, Data DOT HS 810 990).

With grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”), the Colorado Department of Transportation (“CDOT”) has awarded funds to DRIVE SMART Evergreen/Conifer (“DSEC”) in partnership with Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (“JCSO”) in the amount of $23,000.00 to establish a motorcycle safety coalition, named RIDE SMART. DRIVE SMART has taken a proactive stance in partnership with the JCSO to reduce these unacceptable losses of motorcyclists riding in our community. RIDE SMART is the first in Colorado working towards implementation of  NHTSA’s new PROJECT GREEN-YELLOW-RED. Our focus is to reduce motorcycle riding at unsafe speeds and/or while impaired, to decrease the number of motorcycle crashes, injuries and deaths as well as to encourage all riders to ride within the limits of their abilities.

DRIVE SMART is pleased to announce that Deborah Napier, a licensed motorcyclist, and motorcycle safety advocate has joined our mission. She has completed the MSF Experienced Rider Course and is a Master Tread Trainer with Tread Lightly! 

As Coordinator of the DRIVE SMART’s RIDE SMART motorcycle safety coalition, in the first year of the NHTSA grant, Ms. Napier will establish a working coalition in the Evergreen/Conifer area. This new coalition will include motorcycling enthusiasts, motorcycle dealerships, a Jefferson County public health official, a Jefferson County Sheriff Office representative from the Mountain Precinct as well as interested owners of restaurants and taverns frequented by motorcyclists in Evergreen and Conifer.  Ms. Napier and RIDE SMART’s outreach to the motorcycling community has already started with the October meeting of ABATE’s District 16 organization in Conifer.

DRIVE SMART Evergreen-Conifer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop partnerships with schools, businesses, civic, community and governmental organizations to educate, create awareness and improve attitudes concerning safe and courteous motor vehicle operation in our mountain communities.  We seek to reduce traffic related injuries and fatalities. DSEC is the recipient of the “Non-Profit of the Year Award” from the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce in 2008.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DRIVE SMART AND MOTORCYCLE RIDING EDUCATION INCLUDING WHERE TO TAKE A RIDER COURSE:

DRIVE SMART EVERGREEN/CONIFER www.drivesmarte-c.org
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Motorcycle Safety website: www.comotorcyclesafety.com
*** Additional links available at the DRIVE SMART website ***

DRIVE SMART wants all riders and their passengers to arrive home safely after a good ride.

• Get trained and licensed
• Wear protective gear -- all the gear, all the time -- including a helmet manufactured to the standards set by the DOT
• Ride unimpaired by alcohol or other drugs
• Ride within your own skill limits
• Be a lifelong learner by taking refresher rider courses

Source: http://www.msf-usa.org/