PRESS RELEASES - NOVEMBER 2008

November 13, 2008Arlington Police Department Launches SMART
Safety Campaign Is Part of Motorcycle Awareness Week

Who: City of Arlington Police Department and partners

What: To launch motorcycle awareness program and new campaign slogan, “Stay Sharp, Ride SMART.”

When: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17

Where: Rangers Ballpark parking lot M

Why: To help reduce the number of fatality related motorcycle accidents and to encourage safer and more responsible riding behaviors.

Background
Law enforcement agencies across the metroplex are taking a zero tolerance approach to unsafe motorcycle riding. Since 2006, motorcycle accident fatalities in Arlington have doubled. From January to July, six of 17 fatal vehicle accidents involved a motorcycle. During this same time in 2007, six of 16 traffic fatalities involved a motorcycle. The message of the S.M.A.R.T. program, created by Arlington police officer Chris Holder, is "Stay Sharp, Ride SMART" and promotes proper motorcycle safety riding behavior. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for Safety Equipment, Motorcycle License, Awareness, Responsibility and Traffic Laws. The program is in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation.

About the Program
The program will include Mayor Pro Tem Lana Wolff, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Region 6 Administrator Georgia S. Chakiris, Arlington Motorcycle Officer Chris Holder and Burleson Traffic Sergeant Sean Bolton.

Video/Photo Opportunity:
In July 2007, David Slider was involved in a motorcycle accident and sustained major injuries from that accident. Slider will be available for interviews, and his wrecked motorcycle will be available for photos. Arlington Motor Officer Brian Garcia will be available to conduct interviews in Spanish.

For more information about this event, call or e-mail Police Information Officer Zhivonni McDonnell at 817-459-5624 or zhivonni.mcdonnell@arlingtontx.gov.