Missouri Motorcycle Safety Program Mission Statement
The goal of the Missouri Motorcycle Safety Program (MMSP) is to increase public safety among motorcyclists and motorists by reducing motorcycle accidents and injuries through rider education and public information. The MMSP shares the vision of the Missouri Office of Highway Safety whose mission is to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes in the state of Missouri. By working together both organizations are able to help each other meet their goals.
As mandated by state law and in compliance with laws governing motorcycle training, the MMSP offers all of its programs according to the highest possible standards. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces crash involvement and is related to the reduction of injuries in the event of crashes. These facts illustrate the need for developing and implementing high quality rider education programs. Such programs require qualified instructors, effective curricula, and proper equipment used in a safe and non-threatening environment. The objectives of the Missouri Motorcycle Safety Program are to provide students with the mental skills necessary for on street riding and the physical skills identified as lacking in crashes involving motorcycles.
Missouri’s motorcycle safety efforts had a modest beginning in 1983 with a Federal grant to the Missouri Safety Center for training and awareness efforts. In 1986, no permanent funding source was established and the program lost it’s Federal funding. In 1989, the Missouri Safety Center applied, and received, Federal funds to establish a statewide motorcycle safety program. In that year the MMSP established five permanent training sites, four mobile sites, certified thirty instructors and trained 415 motorcycling Missouri citizens. The program continued to grow and in 1996 the Missouri Legislature, with HB 717, officially established a voluntary statewide motorcycle program and created the Missouri Motorcycle Safety Trust Fund in hopes of making the program self sufficient.
In 1999, the legislature established a line item budget appropriation to help support the efforts of the MMSP and a full time coordinator’s position was created and filled. The program’s impressive growth from it’s official beginning in 1996, training 873 people, continued through 2001, training 2618 riders, a 300% increase. The MMSP has also been recognized for several national awards including the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s (MSF) “Outstanding State Program” award, MSF’s “Award of Excellence,” their top honor, as well as many sponsors, instructors, and participating motorcycle dealerships receiving awards for their outstanding contributions to the MMSP effort. In 2003, the MMSP boasts 12 permanent training sites, 7 mobile training sites, 102 instructors, and 3 chief instructors. All of whom were responsible for training over 3500 persons.
Since the inception of the MMSP, motorcycle fatalities have decreased every year through 2000. In 2001, a significant increase in motorcycle endorsements and licenses in Missouri, following the national trend, brought about an increase in injuries and fatalities. The increased percentage in fatalities is still below the increase in new endorsements and registrations. The demand for training continues to be greater than the Program’s ability to meet, with an estimated 400 riders unable to obtain training before riding, which has assuredly added to the increase in injuries and fatalities.
The program maintains partnerships with universities, Army Corps of Eng., Chambers of Commerce, colleges and junior colleges, safety councils, state and local parks departments, local boards of education and local municipalities where training sites have been established and sponsored. The MMSP is a member of the National Association of Motorcycle Safety Administrators and maintains a close working relationship with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations, along with the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Office of Highway Safety, Missouri Department of Revenue and Missouri State Highway Patrol. Its important to note that the MMSP, in cooperation with DOR and MSHP, have created a skill test waiver for successful completion of the Basic Rider Course
The MMSP wants to make motorcycle training in Missouri a life-long choice by offering post beginner level classes for experienced riders, for riders who carry passengers or operate a side-car unit, short courses like motorcycle maintenance and care, group riding, touring, etc. Every effort will be made to use current and new technology to deliver this training. Plans are in place to offer the classroom portion of the Basic Rider Course, motorcycle maintenance and care, and group riding via the internet as a distance learning experience. Equally important to training the motorcycle operator is the challenge of educating the other road users on the importance of motorcycle awareness and sharing the road. The MMSP plans to create a motorcycle awareness campaign with its greatest emphasis in the spring of each year. The MMSP will continue to support and educate riders on the importance of proper protective equipment including, and most importantly, the helmet, as well as the importance of not drinking and riding.