SIGNS FOR LIFE

USDOT Secretary Mary E. Peters Announces Action Plan to Reduce Motorcycle Fatalities.

With motorcycle rider fatalities now accounting for 11 percent of total fatalities, and dramatically affecting the overall highway fatality rate, USDOT Secretary Mary E. Peters announced today a renewed focus on reducing crashes, and the resulting injuries and deaths. Secretary Peters unveiled the new 2007 Motorcycle Action Plan, public service announcement, and motorcycle crash report.

Motorcycle Safety Resources
Motorcycle Safety Resources	Format
Press Release	html	pdf
2007 Motorcycle Crash, Death & Injury Report	html	pdf
2007 Motorcycle Action Plan	html	pdf
2007 Motorcycle Educational Safety Campaign	html	n/a

Public Service Announcement with DOT Secretary Peters

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PRESENTING THE FACTS

It has come to my attention by talking to many different bikers at rallies around the state that certain individuals and groups are trying to take credit for the TMRA Share the Road program. I want to take a minute to clear up any confusion or misconceptions you may have on the subject. If you really want to know who is responsible for the success of the Share the Road program it's YOU, the membership of the Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association. That's right, it's you, individually and with your clubs, who sacrificed your free time to attend not one but many city council meetings, waiting for your opportunity to be heard. You, who called the mayors, city managers, area TxDOT representatives and anyone else who would listen to your impassioned pleas to educate both motorists and riders alike; to recognize each others responsibilities on our highways throughout Texas. You, who gave up so much of your free time during the week and on weekends to either raise funds for the signs, help site where the signs should go or even help install them. The letter to TxDOT we published in the January 2007 issue of the Folly, was really composed by you. All I did was consolidate your thoughts and ideas into one letter. The response we received from Mr. Michael Behrens, Executive Director of TxDOT, as published in the May 2007 Folly, the one with Governor Perry presenting us with the 2007 Safety Proclamation, outlined the programs that they would undertake to help educate both vehicle operators and motorcycle riders was only addressed to me a s a central point. It really wa a response to all of you, the membership of T.M.R.A. Since receiving it Bill Paxton, our 1st VP for Safety has worked closely with TxDOT representatives in Austin to coordinate all of the initiatives Mr. Behrens referred to in that letter. I have received numerous emails outlining the same. If you don't think this is true just go to the TxDOT web page and read their opening paragraph. The would never recognize our support if it were not real. While you're there look at one of the video public service announcements. The lat video you see is the credits, crediting both the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Motorcycle Roadriders association. Do you think anyone would just put our shield on their public service announcement if you hadn't been instrumental in bringing them about. For YOUR efforts, the membership of the Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association has been recognized by both the American Motorcycle Association with the presentation of their 2006 Safety Aware and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation with their 2006 MFS Award recognizing your efforts on behalf of motorcycle riders in Texas. Now having said all of that, I have to say this. For us to think we did this entirely on our own would be wrong. I know there are riders and clubs out there, which helped us to get where we are. It takes the sacrifice of many people with the same interest to get where are today with TxDOT support and funding. However, no one person was responsible for the funding of this endeavor except Mr. Behrens who put his funding where his promises were. Don't ever doubt the fact that your efforts represent 85 to 90% of our success with the Share the Road program. So I would suggest you print this article and keep it win your wallet and the next time someone says to you he or she was responsible for the success of the Share the Road campaign, you can step up and say "No Way!" We the membership of T. M. R. A. lead the spearhead that got it done. It took all of us. I am both honored and proud to be a member of your organization, the Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association.

Gary Dupriest, President - Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association