MMA Announces 2011 Motorcycle Safety Awareness Period & 10th Anniversary Milestone!

OFF THE WIRE
The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) is pleased to announce the 2011 Motorcycle Safety Awareness Period which will run from Monday, March 28th through Saturday, April 30th. Additionally, this year's month-long observance celebrates the 10th successive year marking Motorcycle Awareness in the Commonwealth.

Although a light snow is falling as we mark the first day of spring, the weather after a vicious winter is already significantly improving and the exciting roar of bikes can be heard making their way onto the roadways. "Warmer weather and the presence of bikes on the road are a sign of season's passage" notes Doc D'Errico, MMA Safety & Education Director, "but car windows are still closed, heaters and radios blasting, and they've forgotten what Motorcycles look like."

With Safety & Education a critical part of the MMA's mission, the MMA has continuously pursued the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Period proclamation, which has been signed annually into effect by every Governor over the past 10 years. Dave Condon, MMA Chairman, noted, "the 10th Anniversary is especially crucial at a time where our Motorcycle Safety Fund, mandated by law and paid for by Motorcyclists, has been essentially stolen due to government misspending. It's important that we use every means necessary to make all motorists aware – Motorcycles, Cars, and Trucks – that Motorcycles are everywhere and that we should all share the roads equally."

"Although we've already seen this year's first Motorcycle Fatality, the Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Period seems to work," added Doc, "the total accidents and fatalities were down during last year's period and we even received comments on the road signs asking Motorists to be aware that Motorcycles are out there!"

This season we can once again to see reminder signs at MassDOT/RMV offices and on the highways, but we should all use caution when sharing the roads. ALL Motorists, including Motorcyclists, should remember that bikes are smaller, which will seem farther away, and people have forgotten how to judge distances. There's a huge difference between passing a slow moving large snowplow and a small, faster-moving bike!

For More Information, see http://www.massmotorcycle.org/
 or contact SafetyDirector@massmotorcycle.org