All the Gear All the Time and Safety Courses Can Help Save Lives
For Immediate Release: Jun 10 2019
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is teaming up with American Bikers Aiming Toward Education (ABATE) of North Dakota through the North Dakota Motorcycle Safety Program (NDMSP) asking motorcyclists to take personal responsibility on the roadways by wearing All The Gear All The Time (ATGATT) and to take a motorcycle safety course. Whether experienced or novice, any rider can benefit from ATGATT and the skills a safety course provides. Choosing to do both means motorcycle riders are doing their part to achieve zero fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.
Experienced rider course graduate Bob Haas had his skills put to the test in the summer of 2018 while traveling on a busy highway in North Dakota. Haas had to work quickly when a car in front of him suddenly stopped to turn.
“I was travelling at 55 miles per hour at the time and had just seconds to react, but because of the training I’ve received, I didn't panic and successfully braked and steered to avoid the collision. I missed him by just a couple of feet. I was able to maintain control of the bike and we proceeded without further incident,” explains Haas. “The experienced rider course is invaluable training and I encourage every rider to take a safety course, the skills that are taught do work.”
In North Dakota in 2018 nearly 80% of all reported motorcycle crashes resulted in injury or death. Of those fatalities, 69% were not wearing helmets. Speed, reckless driving and inexperience were factors in all fatal crashes.
“A motorcyclist has to be more aware of their surroundings and take special precautions when riding,” said Lonnie Bertsch of ABATE of North Dakota. “No matter your experience level, a safety course will help you appreciate the inherent operating characteristics and special limitations of a motorcycle.”
For more information on how a safety course saved Bob Haas’ life, visit: https://visionzero.nd.gov/strategies/Motorcycle/bobhaasstory/
Information on motorcycle safety courses can be found at www.ndmsp.com
Learn more about motorcycle safety and other traffic safety initiatives at VisionZero.ND.gov
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