ADMINISTRATION PROMOTES MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

Aug 3 - Lt. Governor Aiona helped launch a statewide motorcycle safety awareness campaign last Friday aimed at reducing motorcycle crashes and fatalities in Hawai`i.

The focus of the campaign is two-fold: All vehicle drivers are reminded to share the road with motorcycles, and motorcyclists are encouraged to wear proper safety equipment.

With dozens of motorcyclists joining him during a news conference at Aloha Stadium, Lt. Governor Aiona pointed to the most troubling aspect of motorcycle fatalities - most are preventable.

"The message is clear - share the road and save lives," said the Lt. Governor. "Together, we can prevent unnecessary motorcycle crashes."

The statewide campaign is motivated by a national ranking that shows Hawai`i with the fifth highest motorcycle fatality rate. Hawai`i had 487 motorcycle crashes and 22 fatalities in 2005.

Only one in three motorcycle riders was wearing a helmet at the time of the fatal crash.

The Administration has worked with federal transportation officials to improve Hawai`i's safety ranking, and the state received a $100,000 federal grant for the effort. Television and radio spots promoting motorcycle safety will run through October 2007.

Read the news release here.