The Georgia Department of Public Safety was awarded a $70,000 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to improve motorcycle safety in the state.
The grant will be used for six road checks, the first of which will be March 9 along I-75 in Monroe County. During the same time, law enforcement will conduct checks in Chatham County on I-95.
It is during these road checks that officers often find motorcyclists who don't have the right licenses, police said.
Motorcyclists are supposed to have a Class M license, which requires a motorcycle driving test.
"I think one of the biggest problems around here is the lack of a motorcycle class driver's license, which means you haven't proven you can handle one or that you know the law requirements regarding one," said Lt. Roy Willing¬ham of the Rome Police Department.
Sgt. Greg Beck of the Floyd County Police Department said if motorcyclists do not have the proper license and are caught, they will be cited and possibly taken to jail. The motorcycle will be confiscated, but the driver can get it back once they have the proper license.
Most do comply with driving laws, Beck said. Motorcycle violations usually involve speed and reckless driving, he said.
"There is a small percentage that drive recklessly," Beck said. "Those are the ones we are trying to reach."
Law enforcement officials have been cracking down on motorcyclists in an effort to reduce deaths.
Their efforts appear to be working.
In 2008, 167 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in Georgia, according to statistics from the Department of Public Safety.
That number dropped to 110 last year. So far this year, six motorcyclists have lost their lives in wrecks.
Lt. Col. Mark McDonough, deputy commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, said the department initiated a public education project in 2009 to raise awareness among all drivers of the need to watch for motorcyclists.
The efforts included safety education presentations to school, church and civic groups by Georgia State Troopers as well as media outreach.