PROVINCE PROCLAIMS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY WEEK

In an effort to further promote motorcycle safety throughout the province, Minister responsible for SGI Glenn Hagel has proclaimed the week of May 13 to 19, 2007 as Motorcycle Safety Week in Saskatchewan.

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

“In a collision, motorcycle riders are at a much 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 many of these collisions and ensure they have the necessary knowledge, skills and training to ride safely.”

Motorcycle Safety Week is a safety initiative sponsored by the Saskatchewan Safety Council.

“For over 30 years the Saskatchewan Safety Council has operated the motorcycle safety program in this province in order to educate everyone – new and experienced riders – in motorcycle safety,” Saskatchewan Safety Council’s Manager of Traffic Safety and Training Patrick Kurtz said.  “We don’t want anyone to become a statistic.  By providing this valuable service, it is our goal to save lives and prevent serious injuries.”

Last year, five people were killed in motorcycle collisions and another 183 were injured in the province.

“These statistics are especially telling when you consider that in Saskatchewan, the riding season is only five to six months long,” Hagel said.

The Saskatchewan Safety Council conducts motorcycle safety sessions 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:

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

Shaun Humphries
Saskatchewan Government Insurance
Regina
Phone: 306-775-6907