The Woodward News

Local News

December 26, 2012

Website promotes motorcycle safety

Chris Cooper Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office recently launched a new motorcycle safety and education website, Okiemoto.ok.gov, providing links and information concerning motorcycle law, training opportunities, and safety information.

OHSO Assistant Director Kevin Behrens said, "The website is a recommendation of the Advisory Committee for Motorcycle Safety and Education. Its purpose is to act as clearinghouse for training and information for both riders and the general public."

In addition to providing PSA's concerning motorcycle safety and awareness, the site also provides visitors with links to rider training classes.

"I think it's especially important to get information about available training to riders," Behrens said. "That's an important element of the website I'm looking forward to expanding on so they can become better, safer riders. I think getting that information out there to riders will have the biggest impact.

"They're excellent classes and they save lives. There's also supplemental training available nowadays. Over the few years Edmond Police Department and Broken Arrow Police Department all have training programs for motorcyclists that are designed to make riders safer and provide a bridge between basic rider courses and advanced rider courses."

But thats not all the site has to offer.

"There's also legal information about motorcycle laws as well as PSA's we've made for motorists about sharing the road with motorcycles," Behrens said.

The site also includes various statistics regarding motorcycles, including the number of helmet wearers versus non helmet wearers, as well as accident and death statistics.

"We put those on Okiemoto.ok.gov as a convenience to the users of the website," said Behrens.

Those interested in joining riders groups will also find helpful information on the website by which to do so.

"We want this website to be a one stop shop for riders in regards to rider groups in their area as well as safety information," Behrens said. "These nonprofit riders groups aren't necessarily endorsed by the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board, they're merely there for the convenience of user."

Behrens reasserted the importance of motorcycle training.

"The website is designed to get motorcycle training information out to riders, so they can make themselves safer riders,"Behrends said.  "I would encourage anyone that rides to take a basic rider course and get that training, and to continue to be trained on a regular basis. Skills get rusty over time, you develop bad habits, and training can help knock that rust off and break bad habits,

"I would also recommend everyone wear a helmet."

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