[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 168 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 168

  Designating May 2004 as ``National Motorcycle Safety and Awareness 
                                Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 12, 2003

   Mr. Campbell (for himself and Mr. Allard) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating May 2004 as ``National Motorcycle Safety and Awareness 
                                Month''.

Whereas the United States of America is the world leader in motorcycle safety, 
        promoting education, training, and motorcycle awareness;
Whereas motorcycles occupy a very important position in the history of this 
        Nation and of the world;
Whereas over two-thirds of car-motorcycle crashes and nearly one-half of all 
        motorcycle crashes are caused by car drivers, not by motorcyclists;
Whereas of the 1,400 fatal car-motorcycle crashes in 2001, 36 percent involved 
        another vehicle violating the motorcyclist's right-of-way by turning 
        left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the 
        vehicle;
Whereas although the motorcycling community has made efforts to mitigate these 
        right-of-way crashes through enhancing motorcycle awareness via 
        billboards, posters, media, and other campaigns, the message to `watch 
        for motorcycles' continues to go unheeded by the general motoring 
        public;
Whereas the motorcycling community has invested considerable time and effort to 
        improve its safety record through safety initiatives such as increased 
        rider training and licensing campaigns, but many times demand for rider 
        training exceeds enrollment capacity and the programs often lack support 
        from the larger traffic safety community;
Whereas the larger traffic safety community, highway designers, law enforcement, 
        the medical community, designers of other vehicles, government, 
        researchers working in related areas, insurers, and all road users can 
        accomplish much more toward improving motorcycle safety;
Whereas the motorcycle is an efficient vehicle which conserves fuel, has little 
        impact on our overworked roads and highway system, is an important mode 
        of transportation involving such activities as commuting, touring, and 
        recreation, and promotes friendship by attracting riders from all over 
        the world through various clubs and organizations;
Whereas the month of May marks the traditional start of the motorcycle riding 
        season; and
Whereas, due to the increased number of motorcycles on the road, it is 
        appropriate to set aside the month of May 2004 to promote motorcycle 
        awareness and safety and to encourage all citizens to safely share the 
        roads and highways of this great Nation by paying extra attention to 
        those citizens who ride motorcycles: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
    (1) designates May 2004 as ``National Motorcycle Safety and 
Awareness Month''; and
    (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon 
the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate 
ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>