LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim May 2009 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, Safety is the highest priority for the highways and streets of
our great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
designates May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and states and
motorcycle organizations across the country conduct a variety of activ-
ities to promote the importance of motorist awareness and sharing the
road with motorcyclists; and
WHEREAS, Motorist awareness is an important component of the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration's comprehensive motorcycle safety
program; over two-thirds of fatal motorcycle crashes involve a motorcy-
cle and another vehicle; the motorist either does not see the oncoming
motorcycle at all or does not see the motorcycle in time to avoid a
crash; and
WHEREAS, It is important for motorists to know that their actions
affect the safety of motorcyclists; a motorist and a motorcyclist may
take different actions for the same driving or highway situation; and
WHEREAS, For example, a motorist may ignore a piece of road debris,
however, that same piece of road debris may be deadly for a motorcy-
clist; and
WHEREAS, All motorcyclists, motorcycle organizations, groups, clubs,
dealerships, safety institutions, highway safety officials and state
officials should join in actively promoting safe operation, public
awareness, increased driver and rider training and improved licensing
procedures for motorcycles; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim May 2009 as Motorcy-
cle Safety Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with
National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York.