PROVINCE PROCLAIMS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY WEEK

Minister responsible for SGI Glenn Hagel has proclaimed the week of June 24th to July 1st, 2006 as Motorcycle Safety Week in Saskatchewan.

The week is intended to encourage safe riding and to raise awareness of the importance of having the proper motorcycle training.

"In a crash, motorcycle riders are at a higher risk for being severely injured or killed," Hagel said. "SGI encourages all motorcycle enthusiasts to take a safety course to learn how to avoid collisions and ensure they have the necessary knowledge and skills to ride safely."

Motorcycle Safety Week is sponsored by the Saskatchewan Safety Council.

"This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Safety Council's motorcycle safety program in the province," Saskatchewan Safety Council's Manager of Traffic Safety and Training Patrick Kurtz said. "We believe it is important to educate everyone in motorcycle safety, whether they are just learning to ride or have been riding for a long time. We don't want anyone to become a statistic. This course could just save your life."

According to preliminary statistics from SGI, four people were killed in motorcycle collisions and another 140 were injured in the province last year.

"These statistics are especially alarming because the riding season in Saskatchewan is only five or six months long," Hagel said.

The Saskatchewan Safety Council has motorcycle safety instructors throughout the province. For more information on safety courses, contact the Council at (306) 757-3197 in Regina or (306) 343-2023 in Saskatoon.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kim Hambleton SGI Regina Phone: (306) 775-6907

Patrick Kurtz Saskatchewan Safety Council Regina Phone: (306) 757-3197