CDOT encourages motorcycle safety with new campaign

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http://www.montrosepress.com/articles/2010/06/09/news/doc4c09c67b47387304714259.txt CDOT encourages motorcycle safety with new campaign
Print this story Post a Comment By Ricki Watkins Daily Press Staff Intern Published/Last Modified on Saturday, June 5, 2010 4:11 AM MDT
MONTROSE ��” Although Colorado doesn’t mandate helmets for motorcyclists, the state Department of Transportation is kicking off a campaign to encourage use of proper safety gear.
It’s the latest segment in a three-year “Live to Ride” campaign by CDOT.
“For the past two years, we have primarily focused our Live to Ride campaign on encouraging training and riding sober,” CDOT chief engineer Pamela Hutton said in a news release. “But now we are addressing the importance of using proper safety gear, which not only includes helmets, but also eye protection, gloves, boots, long pants and jackets.” Advertisement
Dennis Scott, manager of Black Canyon Harley-Davidson/Buell Motorcycles in Montrose, said “motorcycle awareness is a greater issue,” and the biggest danger Montrose motorcyclists face are “drivers of cars.”
He said he does like the “Live to Ride” campaign, though, and “anything that raises the awareness about motorcyclists.” Scott estimates that 1,000 motorcyclists ride in Montrose.
Motorcyclists make up 19 percent of traffic deaths in Colorado, CDOT reports, and most of those bikers die because of riding without a helmet.
Colorado law only requires helmet use for passengers and riders under age 18. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths.