Keep an Eye Out for Motorcycles

Did you know that May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month? This is a national initiative aimed at getting motorists and motorcyclists to “share the road” with each other.

 A recent NHTSA report stated that motorcycles made up nearly 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2007 and accounted for only 0.4% of all vehicle miles traveled. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2007, motorcyclists were about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in motor vehicle traffic crashes and 9 times more likely to be injured. This same report also found that motorcycles that were involved in 2 vehicle crashes were hit 77% of the time in the front while only 7% were struck from the rear. This number shows that most cars are in front of the motorcycle perhaps making a lane change or entering the roadway in front of the motorcycle.

So what can you do as a driver to avoid a crash with a motorcycle?

• Before making a lane change look over your shoulder and check your blind spot.
• If you are riding next a larger vehicle make an effort to move out of the blind spot making it easier for drivers to see you.
• Look twice to be sure you didn’t miss that bike on your first glance.

As a motorcycle driver these tips can help you avoid a crash:

• Be aware of driveways and side streets and be alert when cars are entering the roadway.
• If you are riding next to a larger vehicle make an effort to move out of the blind spot making you easy for drivers to see.
• Always ride with your headlight on for increased visibility. 

Evergreen Safety Council offers Motorcycle, Sidecar/Trike and Scooter Safety Training for all skill levels in 8 locations throughout King County.  For a full schedule or to register for a safety training class visit our website or contact our office 206-382-4090.

Article courtesy of ACTSOregon MAY edition of Traffic Safety Connection (pdf).

Safety Gifts Support Safety Culture

Contributed by Star Conrad, Director of Operations, Evergreen Safety Council 
With the holidays fast approaching and 2012 is just around the corner, now is the best time to show employees your appreciation for working safely all year long.

Check out these ideas for employee gifts that are fun to receive and also reinforce your organization's safety culture. These items also make great gifts for your family and your employees' families!

• Portable Weather Radio
• Solar or battery powered AM/FM radio
• Vehicle Emergency Kit
• First Aid Kit – personal to family sized
• Solar, shakable or battery powered Flashlights
• PPE for home use – suits, goggles, ear plugs, etc.

Many of these types of gifts and even more are available online or through your general safety supply retailer.

And since we are Evergreen Safety Council…Motorcycle or Sidecar/Trike training class Gift Certificates are a great safety gift for family and friends. Call our office 206-382-4090 to order one today.

A few nice days…..and here come the motorcycles

Washington State Patrol Media Release

As we roll into spring many people in our state start dusting off their motorcycles and gearing up for a ride. Unfortunately, this is when the Washington State Patrol starts seeing an increase in motorcycle fatality collisions. We have seen traffic fatalities in Washington continue their downward trend in 2010, reaching the lowest level in at least 35 years. While traffic collisions have decreased overall, motorcycle rider deaths continue to rise. The top factors that lead to motorcycle rider deaths or serious injuries are impaired riding and speed.

Motorcycle riders need keep in mind the Washington State Patrol heavily enforces motorcycle endorsement violations. If you’re stopped on a motorcycle without a valid permit or endorsement you will be cited and your bike will most likely be impounded. Simply put, motorcyclists need to know how to operate and control their bikes to be safe.

We highly recommend that riders swallow their pride and take one of the many motorcycle safety courses offered to the public. There are courses available for beginner and advanced riders alike. If someone you know rides a motorcycle, ask them if they have taken a training course. It could save a life. (Evergreen Safety Council offers a wide variety of motorcycle, scooter and sidecar/trike safety training classes. Just follow the links we have included here for more information.)

Here are a few general safety tips for riders to keep in mind as you head out this season:

Assume you're invisible: Because to a lot of drivers, you are. Never make a move based on the assumption that another driver sees you, even if you've just made eye contact.

Be patient: Always take a second look before you pull out to pass, ride away from a curb, or merge onto the freeway from an on-ramp. It's what you don't see that gets you.

Stay in your comfort zone: Riding over your head or being on a motorcycle you can’t handle is never a good idea. Ride at the level of your training and choose a bike that fits you and your needs.

Keep this information in mind and please be safe when you’re out for a ride. Enjoy the unique spring weather that only Washington can offer.

Contact: Trooper Guy Gill #505 Phone: (253) 606-1998

Safety Can Look Cool

Contributed by Monty Lish, EMST Manager,

ESC has purchased some new full face helmets for the ranges and we will be disposing of the old 1/2 and 3/4 style helmets. We will also be disposing of many older full face helmets that have been available in the containers.

Student will start seeing these sexy new helmets being added to the containers this weekend. This should leave us with only full face helmets for the students to borrow and this has been our plan. Based on a few incidents/accidents that have happened on the ranges in the past few years (injured teeth, facial scratches), we have decided that full face protection is the safest possible helmet to loan our students while taking one of our motorcycle safety classes.

This is just one more new tool for teaching, as we prepare for the summer training season.

May is Motorcycle Awareness & Safety Month

Contributed by Monty Lish, Manager, EMST
May is typically one of the deadliest months for motorcyclists, as many riders begin to start riding again for the season after taking the winter months off. As the weather starts to warm up we start to see more motorcyclists on the roads interacting with traffic. May is the time to remind all motorists and motorcyclist to be more alert and watch out for each other on the roads.

Motorcyclists also need to be aware that their motorcycle skills are perishable, and if they don’t use these skills everyday they can lose them. Even experienced motorcyclist can benefit from taking a motorcycle safety class, especially if they have not been on a motorcycle for a while.

If you are a beginner or an experienced motorcyclist you can benefit from taking a motorcycle safety class from Evergreen Safety Council. Get ready for the riding season and sign up for a class today.

View the Public Service Announcement created by the Washington DOL last year for motorcycle awareness.

New Motorcycle Endorsement Data

Contributed by Monty Lish, Manager, EMST
A new analysis has been completed by the Washington State Department of Licensing, the agency has wanted to connect Motorcycle registration data with driver's Motorcycle endorsement data. This analysis was run on about 50% of the vehicle registrations in the DOL data base, because just recently the DOL has been able to link the data bases for the vehicle registrations and driver licenses on about 50% of the data base. With this type of analysis the DOL is hoping they will be better able to connect the dots and find ways to improve the motorcycle compliance rate.

If you are one of these motorcycle owners and riders who does not have the proper motorcycle endorsement you can get yourself legal by taking a motorcycle safety course from Evergreen Safety Council. With the successful completion of most Evergreen motorcycle safety courses you qualify for a license waiver, which waives any further testing at the DOL when you go to get your motorcycle endorsement.

Motorcycle Riders Are Getting Older...

Contributed by Monty Lish, Manager EMST
Here is something for all us motorcyclists to think about as we get older and realize we are not invincible. Check out this news release from the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Motorcycle riders across the country are growing older, and the impact of this trend is evident in emergency rooms daily. Doctors are finding that these aging road warriors are more likely to be injured or die as a result of a motorcycle mishap compared to their younger counterparts.

While the typical injured motorcyclist has long been thought of as a young, otherwise healthy victim of sudden injury, a study from the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests otherwise. Between 1996 and 2005, researchers found the average age of motorcyclists involved in crashes increased from approximately 34 to 39 years, and the proportion of injured riders above the age of 40 increased from around 28 percent to close to 50 percent. Of all injured riders included in the study, 50- to 59-year-olds represented the fastest growing group, while 20- to 29-year-olds were the most rapidly declining...

Find the full link / Story on our EMST Facebook page

changes to the three-wheel motorcycle endorsement law

Contributed by Monty Lish, Program Manager, Evergreen Safety Council

As of July 26th 2009 you may not need a three-wheel endorsement to ride your three-wheel motorcycle if your three-motorcycle meets the following requirements.
o The seat is located in an enclosed or partially enclosed seating area.
o The vehicle is equipped with seat belts.
o The vehicle is steered with a steering wheel.

Your vehicle must meet ALL THREE of these requirements to not require a three-wheel endorsement to ride or drive.

To read the complete law about equipment requirements see RCW 46.37.530

To take a motorcycle safety class and qualify for your two-wheel or three-wheel motorcycle endorsement go to www.esc.org to register for a class. Evergreen Safety Council offers motorcycle safety classes that that offer a license waiver of further testing at the DOL when qualifying for a motorcycle endorsement. Classes are available for beginners and experienced riders.

Motorcycle and Sidecar/Trike Programs on Facebook

Contributed by: Monty "MEL" Lish, MC & STEP Program Manger, Evergreen Safety Council

Check out the Facebook pages for Evergreen Safety Council's motorcycle and sidecar/trike safety training programs and become a fan. Evergreen has the following pages - search for us on Facebook:
Evergreen Motorcycle Safety Training (EMST)
Sidecar/Trike Education Program (S/TEP)

These Facebook pages have albums of pictures from the different motorcycle classes that Evergreen offers, including albums for Motorcycle, Scooter, and Sidecar/Trike classes. We hope that future and past students, as well as anyone interested in riding will become fans of these pages so that we can interact, keep in contact and share our motorcycle interests.

So check out the motorcycle program pages, become a fan, and post a picture of your current or past motorcycle ride.

Legislation Set to Affect Different Aspects of Driving

The Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board

By Monty E. Lish "MEL", Motorcycle Program Manager & S/TEP Program Manager, Evergreen Safety Council

Alert: HB 2617 Eliminating Boards and Committees
The omnibus bill to eliminate boards and commissions has been introduced in the house. (It is HB 2617). Section 151 eliminates the Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board and Section 157 eliminates the Non-highway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Advisory Committee.

The Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board was created by law to help the Director of the Department of Licensing manage the motorcycle safety program.

Board membership
The board has 5 members:

• Three active motorcycle riders or people actively involved in a non-profit motorcycle organization that actively support motorcycle safety.
• One member of the Washington State Patrol with at least 5 years’ experience, and at least 1 year’s experience as a motor officer.
• One member of the general public.

Board members serve a 2-year term of office, and receive no compensation for services, except reimbursement for travel expenses while engaged in business of the board.

This board is self supporting and requires no funding from the state budget. This board advises or offers opinions to the Coordinator of the Washington Motorcycle Safety Program (WMSP) to help support or improve motorcycle safety training in the state.

The elimination of this board accomplishes nothing for the state budget and only hurts the process for providing motorcycle safety training.

Cell Phone Bill - Driving While Texting

Please visit Driven to Distraction Task Force for all of the latest media stories regarding the legislation and press conference. The media has been overwhelmingly supportive of the legislation.

Today marks the the first day of the legislative session in Olympia. A hearing for the cell phone bill is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 20 in the Senate Transportation Committee. Stay tuned this week for more details, including specific calls-to-action on House Bill 2635.

Thanks again for your support. We're off to a great start of session thanks to each of you!
Lindsay M. Pease
206.375.6536

So, What are you doing tomorrow or on Thursday?

Important Reminder...
The Washington State's 58th Annual Governor's Industrial Safety & Health Conference starts tomorrow in Tacoma at the Convention & Trade Center.

Evergreen is excited to be involved in this Conference in a variety of capacities.

We will be hosting a vendor booth featuring our brand new display, great information on our various training programs, and lots of fun give away prizes - come meet our instructors.

New to the conference this year, ESC's certified instructors will be providing Sidecar and Trike Demonstrations during both days of the conference.

Tom Odegaard, Executive Director, will be a featured panelist during the Natural Gas Industry Session discussing Ladders and Scaffolding.

Eric Tofte, Director of Training & Consultation, session Familiarity Breeds Contempt: Complacency Can Kill will cover safety around mobile equipment during the Mining, Tunneling and Aggregate Industry Session.

As their ad says...Safety & Health: Together, We Make It Happen. Attend one of the largest safety & health conferences in the nation...featuring dozens of workshops, the latest technology and product exhibits...something for every business, including yours!

Share your comments: Do you plan to attend the conference this year? Have you attended in the past? What aspect of the conference is most valuable to you?

Governor's Industrial Safety & Health Conference

Registration is now open for Washington State's 58th Annual Governor's Industrial Safety & Health Conference October 7-8, 2009 in Tacoma at the Convention & Trade Center.

Evergreen is excited to be involved in this Conference in a variety of capacities.

• We will be hosting a vendor booth featuring our brand new display, great information on our various training programs, and lots of fun give away prizes - come meet our instructors.
• New to the conference this year, ESC's certified instructors will be providing Sidecar and Trike Demonstrations during both days of the conference.
• Tom Odegaard, Executive Director, will be a featured panelist during the Natural Gas Industry Session discussing Ladders and Scaffolding.
• Eric Tofte, Director of Training & Consultation, session Familiarity Breeds Contempt: Complacency Can Kill will cover safety around mobile equipment during the Mining, Tunneling and Aggregate Industry Session.

As their ad says...
Safety & Health: Together, We Make It Happen
Attend one of the largest safety & health conferences in the nation...featuring dozens of workshops, the latest technology and product exhibits...something for every business, including yours!

Register today!