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Irvine, Calif., Nov.18, 2004 – After years of steady decline in the number of motorcycle accidents, the trend has reversed as more people are taking up – or getting back into – motorcycling. The average motorcyclist is 42 years old, with a household income of $56,000, and women comprise nearly ten percent of the motorcycling population. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of motorcyclist fatalities was up 10 percent in 2003, and, historically, approximately two-thirds of all car-vs.-motorcycle crashes have been caused by the car driver.
To address these issues, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to making motorcycling safer and more enjoyable through its rider training and public awareness programs, developed a 30-second public service announcement in which actress/motorcyclist Molly Culver lends her talent to deliver a simple yet powerful message to motorists: We’re Out There.
“Hi, I’m Molly Culver. I’ve been riding motorcycles most of my life. Like all motorcyclists, when I’m riding in town, I’m most at risk from car drivers turning across my path. When you’re behind the wheel of a car, please look twice before you turn left at an intersection or into a driveway. Motorcyclists are out there. If you expect us, you’ll see us.”
All car drivers, especially teens, will benefit from this safety awareness message. In an era of rampant driving distractions, the encouragement to “look twice” may help prevent car drivers from inadvertently violating the right-of-way of motorcyclists, pedestrians, and other cars. To date, the PSA has aired 179 times on 22 stations in 18 markets, with an audience reach of 2,655,222 viewers. It is available on MSF’s website: www.msf-usa.org/psa/culver.cfm.
According to Ms. Culver, “As a motorcyclist myself, I’m happy to do whatever I can to help the Motorcycle Safety Foundation get these important messages out there to car drivers.”
About Molly Culver
Molly Culver is perhaps best known to the public for her role in the hit syndicated television series, “VIP,” but she has also established a loyal following among motorcycling enthusiasts as the host of the Outdoor Life Network’s Dirt Rider Adventures program and as a field reporter for the AMA Supermoto Series. She has been riding motorcycles since she was 11 years old, and continues to be heavily involved in safety and promotional activities that benefit motorcyclists.
About MSF
Since 1973, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation® (MSF) has set internationally recognized standards that promote the safety of motorcyclists with rider education courses, operator licensing tests, and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Victory and Yamaha. For RiderCourseSM locations, call 800.446.9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org.
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