Hearing Impaired Nevada Rider Class
Nevada Rider in partnership with the Deaf Centers of Nevada held a first of its kind motorcycle safety class for hearing impaired riders in Northern Nevada last September. With over four months of preparation and coordination, participants walked away with valuable, lifesaving motorcycle information.
Minor changes were made to how the class was conducted including the implementation of an eCourse and having an additional instructor present. This helped maximize on-bike time to ensure a safe and productive learning environment. The Nevada Rider program and the Office of Traffic Safety would like to thank: Cary Graves from the Department of Motor Vehicles, Debbie Helms and Casey McCullough from the Deaf Centers of Nevada, rider coaches Daniel Banda and John Rodgers, and interpreters Kristie and Alex.
MOTO 101 Program Launch 
Data shows that 38% of traffic fatalities age 20 and under were motorcycle riders. Data also shows that 40% of those riders were not licensed, and presumably had not taken a motorcycle safety course. Through collaborative efforts between the Nevada Rider Motorcycle Safety Program and Zero Teen Fatalities, an informational session for high school students—MOTO 101—will launch in February 2018.
The 90-minute session will include topics such as the risks of riding, techniques to reduce the risk, the importance of formal training, the importance of being licensed, and the 2018 statute changes on instruction permits and mandatory training for ages 16-17. The session will include a classroom-based portion and a riding demonstration. The entire session will be conducted by a Nevada Rider licensed motorcycle instructor. MOTO 101 will be promoted through Zero Teen Fatalities presentations at high schools in Las Vegas, Reno, and Elko.
Motorcycle Dealer Outreach
Dealerships are often the first point of contact for prospective motorcycle riders. Since motorcycle dealers are seen as the experts on motorcycles, engaging dealerships to support State efforts to communicate the need for riders to wear proper riding gear and to take formal training is a logical step to ensure safer riders. Messages such as “Look Twice for Motorcycles” displayed in the dealerships also reach non-riders that visit dealerships with family or friends.
Components of the program include placing brochures in acrylic countertop displays at dealerships and offering to participate in dealer events with the Nevada Rider outreach trailer. A SMARTrainer-Motorcycle Traffic Simulator is permanently mounted in the Nevada Rider outreach trailer and will be staffed by Nevada Rider licensed instructors. The trailer can be requested by dealers and will also be available for State agency events.
For more information on MOTO 101 or Motorcycle Dealer Outreach, please contact Pete Vander Aa at pvanderaa@dps.state.nv.us
