Should lawmakers strengthen helmet laws for motorcyclists? In Pennsylvania

Highway? Helmet. My kids on the back? Helmet. My wife? Helmet! If I'm going around the block or running to Dunkin Donuts — I don't need a helmet.
— Gene "Gino" Kradzinski, G-Team Motorcycles

Gene "Gino" Kradzinski says the existing legislation is good enough. He is a seasoned rider who says he knows best when to wear a helmet. (Maiken Scott/For NewsWorks)

Pennsylvania got rid of its universal motorcycle helmet law in 2003. Riders over the age of 21 with two years experience or safety training can choose to wear a helmet.

Democrat Dan Frankel says this was a terrible mistake in public policy. Since that time, motorcycle accident deaths and head injuries have gone up sharply. A 2008 study found a 32 percent increase in head injury deaths and a 42 percent increase in head injury-related hospitalizations. 2010 saw 4016 motorcycle crashes in Pennsylvania, with 233 fatalities.

So now, Frankel wants to turn back time. He just introduced legislation that would return helmet laws to were they were before 2003, mandating all riders to once again protect their heads.

Dr. Guy Fried witnesses the devastating effect of brain injuries from motorcycle accidents at Magee Rehabilitation in Philadelphia.

"You can have a head injury where the person is comatose or in a vegetative state for the rest of their life," said Fried. "Or you can have someone who is dazed and confused and needs quite a bit of rehabilitation to reorient them, or relearn how to walk or how to think."

And the enormous cost for that care, says representative Frankel is typically picked up by taxpayers since many riders don't have health insurance or long-term care insurance.

But still, many riders insist wearing a helmet should remain their choice. Gene "Gino" Kradzinski of G-Team motorcycles in Philadelphia was severely injured in a helmet-less crash as a teen. Now, as a seasoned rider, he says he knows best when a helmet is needed.

"Highway? Helmet. My kids on the back? Helmet. My wife? Helmet! If I'm going around the block or running to Dunkin Donuts - I don't need a helmet."

He says the existing legislation is fair, and police should do more to enforce the existing rules regarding young riders.

The proposed legislation has been sent to the transportation committee in Harrisburg, but Frankel says he is not overly optimistic it will pick up much support.

Police announce No Refusal Weekend Initiative comes during biker rally in Austin

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/police-announce-no-refusal-weekend
Police announce No Refusal Weekend Initiative comes during biker rally in Austin 
 Updated: Thursday, 09 Jun 2011, 10:27 PM CDT Published : Thursday, 09 Jun 2011, 8:09 PM CDT
Doug Shupe AUSTIN (KXAN) - Police are trying to prevent these dangerous motorcycle accidents from happening at this year's Republic of Texas Rally.
44,000 bikers are expected in town this weekend. 6th Street is already a destination for many of them.
In addition to increased enforcement, officers are also talking with event organizers and sending a message to bikers and motorists alike.
And for the first time ever during the rally--police say if they think you're drunk they'll take your blood. You won't have the option of refusing.
Les Patton and Sandy Callaham came from Norman Oklahoma for ROT Rally.
"Great time, great place, just a mini vacation for us," said Patton.
"Yeah, four years in a row. It's the best," said Callaham.
But in the midst of all the fun--there is a danger.
During last year's motorcycle weekend--three bikers died in just three days.
"This is something that we want to stop," said APD Commander Jason Dusterhoft.
Police announced a No Refusal weekend from 9 pm to 5 am both Friday and Saturday nights.
"This means if you refuse our test and we believe you are intoxicated or impaired we will take you to jail, you will go to the front of the line, we will take your blood, and you will stay in jail," said Commander Dusterhoft.
"I don't think that's a bad thing at all," said Patton.
Patton and Callaham have lost biker friends to crashes.
"We don't need anymore fatalities, it's too much, it's too much," said Callaham.
The Oklahoma couple say they play it safe.
"You got to be safe so we have a few beers, but try to keep it downtown and walk to the hotel or whatever," said Patton.
They hope others do as well---and have a message for the drivers who share the road with them.
"Look twice, look both ways--just keep an eye out, especially at night," said Callaham.
A caution echoed by law enforcement.
"Look twice, save a life. That's one of the biggest things we can make sure everyone is aware of the bikers, look in your blind spots, take a little bit of extra time. We don't want anymore collisions," said Dusterhoft.

Police say 14 percent of fatalities on the roadways are motorcycle related.
They said that trend is actually on the decline, but they want to get the number even lower.
On another note--officers said thieves target rallies like the one this weekend, so they remind bikers to lock their ignition and remove the key to prevent thefts.

Let the governor know our 2nd Amendment Right shall not be enfringed - (banning the open carry of handguns in public places)

Let the governor know our 2nd Amendment Right shall not be enfringed (more than it already is).  http://www.petitiononline.com/CalOCPet/petition.html

Mark Temple  

(916) 402-7981 

 

"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government,

so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution

so the second will not become the legalized version of the first."

    Thomas Jefferson

Folsom enforcement effort aims to reduce motorcycle fatalities

http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2011/06/folsom-enforcem.html
Folsom enforcement effort aims to reduce motorcycle fatalities

 By Cathy Locke
The Folsom Police Department will conduct a special motorcycle enforcement operation Thursday as part of an effort to continue reducing deaths and injuries.
Extra officers will be on duty, patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur, according to a Police Department news release. Officers will be cracking down on traffic violations by motorcyclists and other vehicle drivers that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities.
Motorcycle fatalities had been on the rise in California, increasing 175 percent in 11 years, from 204 deaths in 1998 to 560 death in 2008. That trend has stopped, with data showing a 30 percent decrease in motorcycle fatalities in 2009. Despite the improvement, officials said, California remains one of three states that lead the nation in motorcyclist deaths.
According to California collision data, the primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning, and impairment due to alcohol or drugs.
The Folsom Police Department also reminds other motorists to be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.
Another factor in motorcycle-related crashes is inexperience. Between 2006 and 2008, 58 percent of motorcycle operators under the age of 25 who were killed were not properly licensed, according to the news release. Police urge motorcyclists of all ages to obtain the proper license, and to seek training and safety information.
Training is available through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. For more information and training locations, see the website at www.CA-msp.org, or call (877) 743-3411.
Funding for Folsom's special enforcement program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the

National Highway

Administration.

Rogue

Sturgis Freedom Fighters

Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005

www.bikerrogue.com

New Law in Maine show evidence that a motorcycle doesn't violate the state's sound law

Motorcycle Exhaust Decibel Testing

Maine has adopted a simple yet reliable testing procedure that allows motorcyclists to prove their bikes don't violate Maine's motor vehicle sound law, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

Under a new law that went into effect on May 26, motorcyclists ticketed for excessive sound emitting from their motorcycle exhausts can go to a certified inspection station for sound testing.

There, the exhaust system would be tested using the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J2825 stationary sound testing procedure - "Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles" - which the SAE developed and adopted with support from the Motorcycle Industry Council in May 2009.

Under the SAE J2825 standard, which the AMA has endorsed, decibel limits range from 92 dBA at idle for all motorcycles, to 100 dBA at certain RPMs for various motorcycles, depending on the type of engine. If a motorcycle meets these limits during the certified testing, then it is evidence that t he motorcycle doesn't violate the state's sound law.

Imre Szauter (AMA Government Affairs Manager) says: "This new law is good news for responsible motorcyclists who ride in Maine because it provides an objective way to prove that a motorcycle doesn't violate the state's sound law, rather than relying on subjective judgments. We applaud the state of Maine -- the first in the nation -- for adopting the SAE J2825 standard."

The AMA has long maintained a position of strong opposition to excessive motorcycle sound. The SAE J2825 standard is at the heart of model legislation developed by the AMA for use by jurisdictions seeking a simple, consistent a nd economical way to deal with sound complaints related to on-highway motorcycles within the larger context of excessive sound from all sources.

For information on the AMA's model legislation, click here.

To see the AMA's position on excessive motorcycle sound, click here.

Rogue

Sturgis Freedom Fighters

Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005

www.bikerrogue.com