May 25, 2006—For Immediate Release

May is Motorcycle Safety Month

OLYMPIA—A proclamation signed by Governor Chris Gregoire designating May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month will be read at the Bob Merriman Memorial Washington Governor’s Motorcycle Run at around 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, in the Kitsap Pavilion at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds near Bremerton.

“Washington is a beautiful state and summer is the perfect time to take in the sights from a motorcycle,” said Governor Gregoire. “Not only do motorcyclists need to be cautious with the increased traffic on the road in these warm months but other drivers should be aware of motorcycles and know how to stay out of a potentially dangerous situation.”

With summer just around the corner, Department of Licensing Director Liz Luce is asking motorcycle riders and other motorists to be extremely cautious as motorcycle traffic begins to increase on Washington’s highways.

“Motorcycle deaths have almost doubled over the last four years in this state and 39 percent of the riders involved in fatal accidents did not have a Washington motorcycle endorsement,” said Luce. “We are currently working with key members of the motorcycle community and state public safety officials to determine the primary causes of motorcycle accidents and develop recommendations to reduce them.”

Karl Herzog of the Governor’s Office and Becky Loomis, Assistant Director of Driver Services Division of DOL, will be on hand to present the proclamation.