FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2004
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-600-8119
SCDPS GEARS UP FOR “LIVE TO DRIVE” MOTORCYCLE SAFETY CAMPAIGN AS BIKE WEEK BEGINS
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety today began a high-profile public education campaign focusing on areas frequented by bikers during the Myrtle Beach Spring Bike Week/Harley Davidson Rally from May 7-16.
The second and third waves of the campaign will focus on Atlantic Beach Bikefest, May 27-31, and the 2004 State H.O.G. Rally September 23-25 in Anderson.
DPS launched the campaign in response to the deadly month of May last year following the two bike rallies. Horry County posted the highest number of motorcycle crashes in the state last year with 275. Twenty one of those crashes involved fatalities; 15 fatal crashes happened during the two bike rallies.
South Carolina has the second highest motorcycle fatality rate in the nation. There were a total of 1,441 crashes involving motorcycles last year; 85 of those involved fatalities and 1,056 involved injuries. Statewide, 88 people were killed in South Carolina traffic crashes in 2003 where motorcycles were involved.
Calendars featuring a different bike and safety message each month, banners, television and radio PSAs, billboards, posters (see attached) and gas pump toppers will blanket the Grand Strand during Bike Week to encourage bikers to “Live to Ride.”
“Our safety messages will be some of the first sites bikers see as they roll into town,” said James Schweitzer, DPS Director. “We have used every medium from television to movable road signs reminding bikers to take simple steps to protect themselves and others while having a good time."
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