HSC.013.a07

WHEREAS, according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) in 2005, 4,553 motorcycle riders were killed in the United States, which is a 13 percent increase over 2004, and a 115 percent increase over 1997; and

WHEREAS, in 2005, 27 percent of motorcycle operator fatalities in the United States had BAC levels of 0.08 or higher; and

WHEREAS, nearly one out of four motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2005 was operating a motorcycle without the required endorsement at the time of the collision; and

WHEREAS, wearing a DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet has been shown to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal head injuries to motorcyclists; and

WHEREAS, enforcement is an essential component to a comprehensive motorcycle safety program; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) supports an increased effort to reduce the number of motorcycle fatalities and injuries by implementing and enforcing the appropriate motorcycle-related laws associated with impaired riding, with licensing, and with using personal protective equipment; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP supports the enactment and enforcement of all-rider motorcycle helmet legislation in each state, since it is the most effective single measure to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries of motorcyclists; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP supports the use of The Detection of DWI Motorcyclists, How to Identify Unsafe Motorcycle Helmets, and the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety as resource tools in the effort to eliminate impaired and unsafe riding. (These tools are available on the NHTSA Web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.)