Ups & Downs
Ups & Downs
UP: To the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Division of Highway Safety, for celebrating the freedom of the road, while reminding motorcyclists to ride sober. “The state’s motorcycle rider education program addresses the importance of riding sober, however, its main purpose is to teach riders about overall motorcycle safety,” says Raymond Gaulin Jr., a highway safety management specialist with the DOT. “The ‘Open the Throttle. Not the Bottle.’ campaign is meant to specifically address impairment, as well as communicate the impact of alcohol, drugs and fatigue on riding ability. Ultimately, our goal is to change behavior.” Last year in Connecticut, 40 percent of motorcycle fatalities involved alcohol.
DOWN To California Assemblyman John Longville, for making a mockery of voluntary organ donation. This past January, he proposed an amendment to an existing bill intended to allow adults 18 and older to decide whether to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. The revision specified that anyone choosing not to wear a helmet “is deemed to have consented to the making of an anatomical gift under this act.” At the AMA’s urging, Longville withdrew his proposal.
UP: To MotoGR for going big on TV. According to series-promoter Dorna, live feeds from each round of the 16-race 2003 title chase reached 319 million viewers in 185 countries. What’s more, total broadcast hours-live action, news, highlights shows, etc.-topped 3586 hours, an increase of 166 hours from ’02. This season, with reigning champ Valentino Rossi moving to Yamaha, look for even better numbers.
