Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim August 2026, as Motorsports Awareness Month in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1534

BY: M. of A. Rules (Gandolfo)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        August 2026, as Motorsports Awareness Month  in  the
        State of New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase  awareness  of  important
public safety issues affecting the residents of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
memorialize   Governor   Kathy   Hochul  to  proclaim  August  2026,  as
Motorsports Awareness Month  in  the  State  of  New  York,  recognizing
efforts   to   increase  public  awareness  of  motorsports  safety  and
responsible riding practices; and

  WHEREAS,  Motorsports  have  a  long  history  of   innovation   and
technological  advancement  and  continue  to  enjoy  immense popularity
throughout the world; and

  WHEREAS, On January 29, 1886, engineer Carl Benz filed a  patent  in
Berlin,   Germany,   for  a  gas-powered  vehicle,  a  milestone  widely
recognized as marking the birth of the modern automobile; and

  WHEREAS, The development of early motorized vehicle technology paved
the way for the emergence of motorsports and organized automobile racing
competitions; and

  WHEREAS, The safety of recreational  riders,  agricultural  workers,
and the general public is of utmost importance to this State; and

  WHEREAS,  All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are widely utilized throughout
New  York  State  for  recreation,  agriculture,   outdoor   work,   and
transportation across rural communities; and

  WHEREAS, Through education and awareness of hazards, as well as safe
riding   practices  and  procedures,  organizations  and  public  safety
advocates strive to reduce the number of preventable injuries and deaths
associated with ATV operation; and

  WHEREAS, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety  Commission  reports  that
there  were  2,509  fatal off-highway vehicle incidents between 2019 and
2021, and an estimated 94,700 injuries  treated  in  hospital  emergency
departments in the United States in 2022; and

  WHEREAS,  Public  awareness  campaigns, rider education initiatives,
and safety training programs play an important role in  encouraging  the
responsible  operation  of  All-Terrain  Vehicles and helping to prevent
serious injuries and fatalities; and

  WHEREAS, Motorsports Awareness Month serves  as  an  opportunity  to
promote  rider  responsibility,  encourage  the  use  of  proper  safety
equipment, and highlight the importance of education  and  training  for
ATV operators; and


  WHEREAS, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Company,  and  RideSafe  Foundation  Powered  by BRP have demonstrated a
commitment  to  promoting  ATV  and  rider  safety  through   education,
outreach, and public awareness efforts; and

  WHEREAS,  Through  continued  education and awareness of ATV hazards
and responsible riding practices, the State of New York hopes to  reduce
the  number  of  preventable injuries and fatalities associated with ATV
operation; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize   Governor   Kathy   Hochul  to  proclaim  August  2026,  as
Motorsports Awareness Month  in  the  State  of  New  York,  recognizing
efforts   to   increase  public  awareness  of  motorsports  safety  and
responsible riding practices; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York;  Nationwide  Children's  Hospital;  Nationwide  Mutual   Insurance
Company;  RideSafe  Foundation  Powered  by  BRP;  and  the Recreational
Off-Highway Vehicle Association.