Mohave Today

Bullhead area Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on May 28

While Arizona’s roadways are a bit more tranquil during the pandemic, the traffic soon will return to normal, which means busy roadways and reduced respect for riders and drivers. And, that means time for a renewed concentration on safety.

Arizona Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Foundation (AMSAF) is playing a key role in the launch of a statewide effort known as Share the Road, which is geared to significantly reduce the number of crashes and fatalities on Arizona roadways. As AMSAF joins key business partners in spreading the word about safety, the non-profit foundation also is providing discounted rider scholarships, offers a unique helmet program with substantial savings to protect riders, and provides startling yet critical information about the importance of roadway respect with the millions of drivers about to rebound on Arizona’s streets and highways.

Last year, along with more than 3,100 motorcycle and 123,000 all other vehicle crashes in which people were hurt, there were record numbers of fatalities. As noted recently by Arizona Governor Ducey, the time is now to focus drivers and riders on the critical importance of sharing the road with respect and being completely aware of one’s surroundings.

According to Mick Degn, executive director for the AMSAF, last year, the economic loss due to vehicle crashes was more than $10 billion. And, some 126,987 crashes took place in Arizona alone.

Degn says the Share the Road program is a statewide public awareness effort aimed at focusing Arizona motorists on the critical need to be undistracted when driving and 2) provide scholarships, statewide, to train motorcyclists how to ride more defensively. This multi-pronged movement, which is geared to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities on Arizona roads, is supported and promoted by the Arizona governor, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (AZGOHS), AMSAF, Dignity Health (Chandler Regional Medical Center), Arizona Trauma Association, Rosenbluth Family Charitable Foundation, Law Tigers and many other supporters.

Share the Road originally was developed to provide training scholarships at a reduced cost so more Arizonans could get the training they need to ride safely. However, half of the crashes and fatalities on Arizona roadways are the result of distracted drivers and corporations and organizations statewide are saying enough is enough…everyone operating a vehicle in Arizona has to start paying more attention.

As a result of these efforts, AMSAF collaborated with RideNow Powersports Cycle Gear, Buddy Stubbs H-D, Desert Wind H-D and The Helmet Center to develop a helmet program that will help individuals to garner a quality DOT helmet with some financial assistance from AMSAF and a 25% discount from these dealers. The program affords people the opportunity to purchase a good full-face or modular DOT helmet at a reduced cost, which is crucial to people during unsure economic times.

What is AMSAF?

AMSAF, a 501c(3) non-profit organization, works with the State of Arizona, business partners and sponsors including local businesses, healthcare, police departments, insurance, legal and other prominent entities and individuals, to help decrease the number of distracted and DUI-impaired drivers and to provide scholarships, statewide, to train motorcyclists how to ride more defensively. Our overall mission is safety awareness to reduce the phenomenal number of crashes and fatalities on our roadways.

Currently Adds Degn, “After all, the people who share our roadways are your family members, customers, friends and colleagues. Their lives matter as does their safety and the safety of others. It’s time to intensify our focus and awareness and training, as the principal keys to driver/rider safety.”

www.BullheadAreaChamber.com

Original source can be found here.