Whereas, The specific use of a safety helmet meeting the United States Department of Transportation standards and the proper protective riding apparel is an important part of a motorcycle operator’s responsibility; and,

Whereas, In Michigan, the Departments of Education, State Police, Transportation and Michigan State University are working in cooperation to promote motorcycle safety and awareness; and,

Whereas, Michigan has 186,000 registered motorcycles and over 466,000 individuals who have validated operator and chauffer licenses with a motorcycle endorsement; and,

Whereas, Motorcycles represent 2.1 percent of all registered vehicles and unfortunately account for 7.1 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities; and,

Whereas, Motorcycle safety awareness promotion is a cooperative effort intended to reduce the number of crashes, thereby decreasing the number of injuries and fatalities associated with motorcycling; promoting the Motorcycle Rider Education programs available through the Michigan Department of Education and recommending motorcycle operators to wear proper gear in addition to defensively operating their vehicles cautiously on the road; and now therefore be it

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the month of May, 2003, as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Michigan. I urge all citizens to recognize the different type and size of vehicles on our highways and develop a caring attitude toward sharing the road, thus making the roads of our Great Lakes State safer for us all.