COLUMBIA--Motorcycle safety courses taught at technical colleges around the state fell victim to Gov. Mark Sanford's budget vetoes, putting the program's future in doubt.

Sanford's decision to eliminate $118,675 in state funding "is a real shame" in a state with the highest rate of motorcycle deaths in the country, program founder Wayne Wilkes of Columbia PowerSports said.

Wilkes has overseen the program since it began in 1990 and said it saves lives.

South Carolina has the highest rate of motorcycle deaths, according to most recent year statistics are available. In 2000, there were 15.9 deaths per 100,000 registered motorcycles.

In Georgia, there were 6.9 deaths per 100,000, in North Carolina, 11.9 deaths.

In Sanford's veto message he said, "Although it is my understanding this is an effective program, I am vetoing this item because it should be funded through tuition or general operating funds as would be the case with other technical college programs."

House Minority Leader James Smith disagreed.

Sanford should not have vetoed money for the program just because he had a problem with the way it's funded, he said.

"I wish he would have communicated that with the General Assembly rather than kill a program when we have the worst safety record in the country," said Smith, D-Richland.

Only bikers age 20 and younger are required to wear helmets in South Carolina. The funds Sanford vetoed pays for three motorcycle safety classes at technical colleges around the state. Motorcycle dealers also donate $120,000 a year in equipment, Wilkes said.

The program originally was paid for by a grant through the Department of Transportation. It's overseen by Midlands Technical College with money from the S.C. Motorcycle Dealers Association and the state.

Now, its future without state money is very much in doubt, said James Hudgins, executive director of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education.

"If they terminate the funds, we would have no choice but to terminate the program," Hudgins said. Students already pay part of the cost of the classes.

The program could survive by boosting the prices, Hudgins said, or by a higher contribution from dealers.

Wilkes said that's possible. "We'll somehow continue the program," he said.

AP-ES-06-23-03 0126EDT