The Office of Highway Safety launched its 2009 Ride Safe. Rice Smart. Motorcycle Safety campaign in late April. The campaign, a combination of both efnrocement and awareness activities, is an effort to reduce motorcycle fatalities and injuries.

Throughout the campaign, Delaware State Police, Dover Police, Felton Police, Dover Police Middletown Police, Newark Police and New Castle County Police will conduct patrols on high crash roadways and will cite violators of the state’s motorcycle safety laws. They will be paying particular attention to speeding and impaired motorcyclists.

Public awareness efforts are aimed at reaching not only motorcyclists but also the drivers of passenger vehicles. Motorists will be encouraged to share the road with motorcyclists through billboards, bumper stickers, radio messaging and internet ads. Motorcycle operators are being reminded not to speed or ride while under the influence of alcohol through radio ads, and through internet ads placed on sites that motorcyclists frequently visit. Posters with alcohol prevention messages on them are being delivered to bars/restaurants where motorcyclists like to hang out. Additionally safety brochures, bumper stickers and posters are being distributed through OHS’s partners including motorcycle rider groups.

Motorcyle deaths have been on the rise nationwide. That trend is mirrored in Delaware. They began increasing in 2001 and hit an all time high in 2005 when 21 motorcyclists died in crashes. Though that number dropped by almost half in 2006 it has risen again. In 2008 16 motorcyclists were killed in crashes.

OHS's awareness efforts in the last three years have fostered a stronger partnership with the state’s Motorcycle Safety Committee, on which OHS now has a seat. The Committee also includes motorcycle riders, businesses, advocacy groups, and representatives of the DMV Motorcycle Rider Training Program. The Motorcycle Safety Committee is chaired by Senator Bruce Ennis and co-chaired by Representative Danny Short.