By Vicki Sanfelipo

One rider not taking any time off is motorcycle safety advocate and friend to Allstate, Vicki Sanfelipo. A frequent contributor to Allstate Rider News, Vicki’s insightful articles have covered everything from rider education to first response in the event of a motorcycle crash. In 1996, Vicki evolved her love for riding into a profession when she started teaching riders accident scene management. Today, she’s conducted more than 2,000 safety demonstrations.

"Every demonstration is memorable to me, I see a light bulb go on in people’s heads from the time they come in and the end of the class, but the most memorable moments are when people come up to me and tell me that the information from our class has saved a life." – Vicki Sanfelipo

Allstate was fortunate enough to have cameras rolling during Vicki’s safety demonstration at the Allstate Rider Protection Zone at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2012. Take a look at the video (below), during which Vicki demonstrates the proper way to treat an injured rider by taking the audience through a step-by-step process, known as the "ABCSS’s of Trauma." Vicki believes every rider should be familiar with this process.

The ABCSS’s of Trauma:
   Airway (use a jaw thrust to keep the spine
   straight)
   Breathing (if necessary, breathe for the
   person, using a barrier if you have one)
   Circulation (control external bleeding)
   Shock (internal bleeding)
   Spinal Immobilization

Allstate Rider Protection Zone:
Allstate continues to spread the rider protection message at motorcycle rallies across the country through the Allstate Rider Protection Zone. The mobile unit includes interactive events, as well as a collection of motorcycles built by custom motorcycle builders Rick Fairless, Arlen Ness and Dave Perewitz. The experience at each rally is truly unique. In fact, this year Allstate captured the excitement on video to share with the Allstate Motorcycle Facebook community.

Allstate Rider Protection Zone Rally Videos:
• Leesburg Bikefest – Leesburg, Fla., April 26-29, 2012
• Laconia Motorcycle Week – Laconia, N.H., June 9-17, 2012
• Thunder in the Valley – Johnstown, Pa., June 21-24, 2012
• Roar on the Shore – Erie, Pa., July 12-14, 2012
• Sturgis Motorcycle Rally – Sturgis, S.D., Aug. 4-11, 2012

Once is Never Enough (O.N.E.) Program:
Since May, Allstate has been busy installing new "Watch for Motorcycles" warning signs at dangerous intersections across the country as part of its Once is Never Enough (O.N.E.) program. The program's signs, which will hopefully save many lives, were recently ruled in compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). To date, "Watch for Motorcycles" signs have been permanently installed in fifteen cities across the country – and they have no plans on stopping any time soon!

Colder months may mean a shorter riding season in certain parts of the country, but there’s still plenty of time to help Allstate protect riders through the O.N.E program. Help spread motorcycle safety and awareness by visiting the Allstate Motorcycle Facebook page and taking the O.N.E. pledge – committing to look twice for motorcycles at intersections – and share with at least one other person to spread the message.

New Sign Installations:
City: Chicago, Illinois
Sign Locations: W. Ohio & N. State St. and N. Kedzie Ave. & W. Fullerton Ave.
Date of Installation: September 20, 2012
Did you know: According to IDOT, there were 1,298 motorcycle crashes in Cook County in 2010. Nearly three-quarters of these accidents involved another vehicle.

Vicki Sanfelipo, RN/EMT

Interested in taking a Trauma Class?
Find a class schedule in your area, or contact an instructor.