On July 1, 2008 the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) implemented a new motorcycle training program aimed at reducing the number of motorcycle accidents.

The Basic Rider Course was designed by FDHSMV and will be offered by private schools and teachers.  Drivers who take the class and successfully pass the test will automatically be able to apply to have the motorcycle endorsement added to their driver’s license.  A list of approved sponsors can be found on the FDHSMV website.

The FDHSMV has also partnered with the Florida Riding Training Program and the Tallahassee law enforcement to promote new motorcycle safety campaign.  The campaign slogan is “Ride Proud, Dress Loud” which emphazes brightly colored clothing to improve a motorcyclist’s visibility in an effort to reduce the number of motorcycle accidents. 

It will be interesting to see just how successful the safety campaign will be.  For a motorcycle rider to improve his or her visibility means they would have to give up all the black leather gear they currently wear when they’re out on the road and replace it with bright, reflective colors.  That may be a difficult change for your die hard Harley-Davidson riders, but only time will tell.