Crash prevention must be the primary focus of improving safety. We do not understand why NHTSA continues to focus on secondary factors that do not prevent motorcycle crashes.
Laying it on the line, 11 Congressmen today questioned a grant program that provides money for law enforcement agencies to set up motorcycle-only traffic checkpoints and called on U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to suspend it.
Signing the letter, written by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), additional signers included Reps. Thomas Petri (R-Wis.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), Lee Terry (R-Neb.), Ron Paul (R-Texas) and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.). Here is the full text of the letter.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) said in a release that it fully supports the congressional letter to LaHood. The AMA earlier formally questioned the potential discriminatory and legal nature of the grant program. On Aug. 9, the AMA sent a letter to NHTSA Administrator David Strickland urging him to suspend the grant program until questions have been addressed.
"The AMA believes that the best way for NHTSA to reduce motorcycle crashes is to employ proven strategies, such as rider education and motorcycle awareness programs, that decrease the likelihood of crashes from ever occurring," said Ed Moreland, the AMA's senior vice president for government relations. "These strategies must be research-based, and motorcyclists would be much better served by applying the funding to the national motorcycle crash causation study that is currently underway at Oklahoma State University."
The congressmen asked that LaHood address their concerns by Oct. 13. In the meantime, the letter said, "The funding for this program would be better spent on awareness programs and crash causation studies unless evidence suggests otherwise."
Comments
The real reason for these checkpoints is to inhibit the flow of motorcycles towards MC events.Court papers have shown that gang-unit personel are assigned to many of these illegal stops.When local leo's can cast a wide net to capture one or two good fish,and get ticket revenue to boot,they'll do it.We must also realize that we have brought much of this down on our own heads.Open-pipe noise bullies and suicide wheelie jockies showing-off to the crowd should be self policed.When I went to BIKE-WEEKS ,huge signs proclaimed: WELCOME BIKERS.Let's make sure we stay welcome and behave like adults when in town.There are plenty of places to show what you got,on and off the track.
"When local leo's can cast a wide net to capture one or two good fish,and get ticket revenue to boot,they'll do it."
That's absolutely the very reason they do it - and it's profiling - pure and simple.
First, thanks for the link.
This is just another discrimination technique against motorcyclist. There are some who like us to lose our right to ride on two wheels. They think they are doing us favors but taking away something as dangerous as a bike.
The non EPA compliant loud exhaust noise bullies and suicide wheelie jockeys showing-off to the crowd, do not, and will not, self police, hence the need for the police to step in and do the job. That's right, they have brought this down on their own heads. The more check points, the more policing. Let's keep that grant money flowing.
@ obeythelaw ..My bike is legal and so am I!When you are illegaly detained it's a violation of my civil rights.With no probable cause,the police are breaking the law,not me!And BTW LOUD PIPES NEVER KILLED ANYONE!
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