As word spreads through the world of motorcycling of the untimely death of Kimmy Chapman in Phoenix Arizona on Saturday March 26, 2011 people are rising up to see that the person responsible for her death and others like him as well take responsibility for their actions and are punished for them. I agree that this should happen. The question is how are we going to do this? The first step is to have laws that are very clear, precise and fair to everyone.
We all have used “Kill A Biker Go To Jail”. I suggest we think about that. I did and I try not to use it any more. Before you get upset with me for saying that let me explain why.
Being a biker I realize what was happening to us as we ride. I supported legislation that would enhance penalties for those causing crashes and collisions that injured and killed many.
In many cases this legislation failed and one of the reasons I was given is that the bill asking for it was prejudicial as it singled out motorcyclist. By its wording it suggested that the life of a motorcyclist was worth more than that of say a bicyclist, someone walking etc.
We all realize that everyone’s life is important and changes are constantly being made so that bills submitted to legislators will eventually get passed and become law.
Wording becomes Very Important when we are discussing making new laws.
Let’s look at a few things most of the bills being submitted include.
Loss Of License: DEFINITELY- The guilty party failed to operate their vehicle in a proper and safe manner and they should be penalized for that.
Jail Time: Though most people’s gut feeling is to throw someone in jail every time they do something wrong this presents some problems. The jails are over crowded as it is. It also creates some other issues like the cost of incarceration to tax payers and in some cases families going on welfare. All costs that fall on all taxpayers and Not the guilty party.
As opposed to jail time putting the guilty party on house arrest and wearing a monitoring device which they would pay for they could still go to work and not cost the tax payers for what they have done.
MONEY: Fines No Matter What The Amount They Can Not Compensate For The Loss Of Life!
STATES and GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT PROFIT FROM INJURY and DEATH OF IT’S CITIZENS.
A more practical approach is that any fines if collected would be required to go into a fund that would help the victims and families and Not to the State.
The guilty party would be required to stay on house arrest until all fines and or compensations ordered by the court were paid in full.
Please think about these things and feel free to add your ideas and suggestions.
Contact your elected officials and let them know you want changes to the laws.
Contact state and national motorcycle rights organizations and ask them to push for laws that will address these situations.
Be sure that any bill submitted are worded correctly to reflect the changes you want. If not vote against them until they are.
I am sorry to say that there are people involved in making laws like lobbyist, insurance companies and even legislators that are looking out more for themselves than they are for you and me.
No comments:
Post a Comment