Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Kentucky State Police Offer Free Motorcycle Course
With warm weather and high gas prices making the allure of a motorcycle especially appealing, KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer wants riders to make sure they have proper training before heading out on the road.
"Motorcycling attracts people of all ages – both new and veteran riders alike must make safety a priority every time they ride,” said Brewer.
“Matching the size and power of the bike to your skill and experience is critical. This is especially important for people who haven't ridden in years and whose skills may need refreshed. I encourage all to practice safe, responsible riding by wearing the proper gear, learning how to ride within their capabilities and enroll in a motorcycle safety course,” added Brewer.
KSP will offer a comprehensive motorcycle safety course on June 27, 2008 in Frankfort from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at their headquarters location on Versailles road. The safety course will be free but is limited to the first one hundred people who register, due to space limitations. The course will be taught by Trooper First Class Walt Meachum, who is a certified Rider Coach for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF).
“Motorcycling is just like any other sport, the more you practice the better you become. Most of the time, if you are a safe motorcyclist, you will also be safe when driving a car,” said Meachum.
Trooper Meachum will utilize MSF video and materials that will cover several topics including: sharing the road with motorists; safe riding tips; baby boomers and mature riders; proper gear and riding sober.
Last year, Captain Tim Lucas, Commander of the KSP Highway Safety Branch unveiled a new motorcycle safety program that included training sixteen public affairs officers by a certified MSF instructor in a ‘train-the-trainer’ style format. The troopers received training and visual resources that have been used for classroom instruction in their respective post areas.
“All too often after a motorcycle crash, the drivers of other vehicles involved say they never saw the motorcyclist and were unable to respond in time,” said Lucas.
“This is no excuse. Too many lives are being lost. Our goal is to increase public awareness through these safety courses and reduce motorcycle fatalities on Kentucky roadways,” he added.
Motorcycle fatalities account for eleven percent of vehicle fatalities nationally, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There were 4,810 motorcyclist deaths nationwide in 2006.
Last year, Kentucky reported 1,965 collisions that resulted in 105 fatalities involving motorcycles. Each year these numbers have steadily increased.
“We want to encourage the motoring public to be vigilant in observing motorcyclists and to encourage riders to ride like their life depends on it,” added Lucas.
KSP also reminds the driving public that July 16 is national “Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day” and urged extra caution on that day due to increased motorcycle traffic.
For more information about the free motorcycle safety course you can contact the Highway Safety Branch at (502) 695-6353 or download a registration form from the KSP website at http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/hsp/index.htm.
"Motorcycling attracts people of all ages – both new and veteran riders alike must make safety a priority every time they ride,” said Brewer.
“Matching the size and power of the bike to your skill and experience is critical. This is especially important for people who haven't ridden in years and whose skills may need refreshed. I encourage all to practice safe, responsible riding by wearing the proper gear, learning how to ride within their capabilities and enroll in a motorcycle safety course,” added Brewer.
KSP will offer a comprehensive motorcycle safety course on June 27, 2008 in Frankfort from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at their headquarters location on Versailles road. The safety course will be free but is limited to the first one hundred people who register, due to space limitations. The course will be taught by Trooper First Class Walt Meachum, who is a certified Rider Coach for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF).
“Motorcycling is just like any other sport, the more you practice the better you become. Most of the time, if you are a safe motorcyclist, you will also be safe when driving a car,” said Meachum.
Trooper Meachum will utilize MSF video and materials that will cover several topics including: sharing the road with motorists; safe riding tips; baby boomers and mature riders; proper gear and riding sober.
Last year, Captain Tim Lucas, Commander of the KSP Highway Safety Branch unveiled a new motorcycle safety program that included training sixteen public affairs officers by a certified MSF instructor in a ‘train-the-trainer’ style format. The troopers received training and visual resources that have been used for classroom instruction in their respective post areas.
“All too often after a motorcycle crash, the drivers of other vehicles involved say they never saw the motorcyclist and were unable to respond in time,” said Lucas.
“This is no excuse. Too many lives are being lost. Our goal is to increase public awareness through these safety courses and reduce motorcycle fatalities on Kentucky roadways,” he added.
Motorcycle fatalities account for eleven percent of vehicle fatalities nationally, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There were 4,810 motorcyclist deaths nationwide in 2006.
Last year, Kentucky reported 1,965 collisions that resulted in 105 fatalities involving motorcycles. Each year these numbers have steadily increased.
“We want to encourage the motoring public to be vigilant in observing motorcyclists and to encourage riders to ride like their life depends on it,” added Lucas.
KSP also reminds the driving public that July 16 is national “Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day” and urged extra caution on that day due to increased motorcycle traffic.
For more information about the free motorcycle safety course you can contact the Highway Safety Branch at (502) 695-6353 or download a registration form from the KSP website at http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/hsp/index.htm.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 8:07 PM 
