motorcycle check points -- Georgia

[champsman97045]

Subject: PRESS RELEASE FOR,IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION: Motorcycle
Checkpoints to begin in March

As many of you know, the State of Georgia received $70,000.00 from the
NSTB for Motorcycle ONLY
Safety Check Points. They will stop all Motorcycles at these Check
Points.

We were informed by unnamed sources that the Check Points would start in

early March to coincide
with The Daytona Bike Week Event. Most points of entry to Florida will
be involved.

We are anticipating them to start March 3rd in order to take advantage
of the additional flow of
Motorcycle traffic thru our State.

I was told that the officers conducting the safety check points have
been trained in what to check for so
be sure you, you paper work and your bike are in order.

We understand that this is just a way to increase revenues so do all
you can to avoid adding to the state
funds.

There are many who Trailer into Georgia and ride into Florida from here.

You may wish to change your
plans and trailer on through to Florida

Dan Forrest,
State Director of A.B.A.T.E. Georgia

 

[trikeleader]

If all is in order on the bike/trike and the paperwork is correct, there should be no problems. The only thing is, the amount of time you are detained for the inspection.

 

[skuuter]

Some of this has been brought on by issues in the Deals Gap, Blood Mountain, etc. Areas. They did motorcycle "spot checks" last year a few times in the East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, North Georgia "Ride Mecca". Legal or not, it has happened and continues to happen. A lot of it has stemmed from "primarily" speed-induced injuries of uninsured motorcycle riders, that the States, Hospitals, and EMT Units get to "eat" each year to the tune of thousands of dollars. Have all Your safety gear on, turnsignals, lights, horn, good tires, motorcycle license, and proof of insurance and it's merely a minor time distraction...ThumbUp

In the Long Run it will probably help weed out some People in Our Sport that constantly cause "Public Issues" for us.....ThumbUp

 

[secondroy]

This law is an unconstitutional invasion of our right to left the hell alone by the government. IMO I have all the stuff they are looking for and there are other ways they can enforce these safety and licensing laws. I'd like to hear just one of the LEOs say that all they were looking for was safety and licensing stuff and would pay no attention to an opened bottle in the panniers or worse maybe a little weed or a gun used for protection. My money says you are going to jail if they find any of these things and they had no right to stop you in the first place without probable cause.

 

[trikeleader]

Possession of an illegal substance or having an open bottle of alcohol is illegal in all states. Possession of a gun without a conceal carry permit is also illegal and is enforced in all states. Check points for vehicles is nothing new and is used in almost all the states. If you want to stay out of trouble, just follow the rules... don't violate the law. I would enforce these laws every time I make a stop or am involved in check points. This is for the safety of all drivers. A check point can lead to a probable cause to search.

Missouri LEO
Tom

 

[DanDolfn]

I don't have a problem with checkpoints as long as they are applied to all drivers.

I don't like the idea of checkpoints only for motorycles.

 

[skuuter]

I'm not fond of "Motorcycle Only" Checkpoints either, but they have happened before and will again....it's been done here in my Area 2 years ago also on Hwy 50 up Monteagle Mountain.....so far it's never caused me a problem, and Everyone involved were very courteous about it.....The "Real World" is never always fair and balanced.....ThumbUp

 

[Gorilla]

I'm a LEO and I do not think motorcycle only checkpoints is fair, but I do not make the laws, I am only directed to enforce what is written by your elected representives. With that being said if you are doing something else illegial drinking/weapons/drugs and I come upon it at a checkpoint I will do what the law directs me to. If not it is a very short stop and you are on your way.

 

[motor256]

This law is an unconstitutional invasion of our right

Don't want to start any fighting here, but as a retired LEO, in the state I worked in and I believe in most states, when you get your drivers license it clearly states that it is a "privilege" to operate a motor vehicle in the state, not a "right". Trucks have had to stop at check points for as long as I can remember for weight and safety inspections, drunk driving check points are operated through out the country, our country has laws that must be enforced or the result would be catastrophic. The bottom line, if your doing right and obeying the law, what's the problem?

 

[DanDolfn]

I'm not a LEO, but I see a difference between trucks which are commercial vehicles and cars/motorcycles which are private vehicles.

I absolutely do not have a problem with enforcing laws, including drunk driving laws.

What I do have a problem with is singling out motorcyle riders, or pickup truck drivers, or Ford drivers, or women drivers or Christian drivers.

If you're going to check ALL drivers/riders, that's fine. But I have an issue with singling out one of those categories, especially if it's a category I'm a member of!



And as a serious legal issue, the "if you're doing right, what's the problem?" argument doesn't cut any water. Government is still required to get search warrants based on probable cause, for example. It's dangerous to suggest that government search what it wants to simply because "if you're doing right, what's the problem?"

 

[skuuter]

Courts, Fines, Checkpoints, and most everything else in Life is maintained by Humans, and because of this, "Things" will happen accordingly, and "Fairness" in all decisions will never be the "Norm".....sometimes "Things" will be tolerated, sometimes not. I've not seen the "Non-Motorcycle-Riding" General Public express any dislike for Motorcycle Spotcheck Points, so They seem to be "Society Allowable".......just keep Your "ON-BOARD STUFF" in order...ThumbUp

 

[Big_Steve]

The whole "Driving is a privilege not a right" business is just El Toro Poo-poo in my book. It's just another play on words so that state governments can regulate and thereby charge fees for something we depend on.

If you're going to pull over only bikes but let others pass it's discrimination or harassment. This is the United States of America. I don't have to empty my pockets to prove I didn't steal from a store, and I shouldn't need to produce my vehical paperwork, or prove my helmet is DOT without probable cause.

/ Soapbox mode

 

[mopar]

Profiling! There are maany cars without proper paperwork out there also. Check everyone or noone. BTW I'm legal and shouldn't have a problem. wait a minute MY trike doesn't have a parking brake!

 

[tomg]

Going north for me puts them at my first gas stop up and last one out. I'll probably nead break anyway. Down here in Florida you don't have to carry motorcycle insurance which I don't agree with. When I has my aaccident a couple of years ago (not at fault), the hospital could not get me out fast enough even though I lept telling not only did I have insurance, the guy who hit me had insurance. They don't care if it involves a motorcyle as most here in sunny Florida don't carry it and they (hospitals) don't want the hassle.
Tomg

 

[oleman69]

Sounds a little more like the stories we heard coming out of Russia when we were little doesn't it. That's why A.B.A.T.E. was formed back in the 70's, and it's a shame all rider's didn't support them.

 

[Southern Man]

Here is the same ugly head rearing up in another state.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Update...

Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, Standout Supporter of Motorcyclists…

United States Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI) has always been a staunch supporter of motorcyclists and this week, he once again went above and beyond the average member of congress.

Sensenbrenner penned a letter to the USDOT last year asking for some clarification on the agency's plan to fund motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints. When the USDOT funded a program in Georgia to the tune of $70,000 before responding to Mr Sensenbrenner’s letter, it ruffled his feathers, so to speak.

The Republican from Wisconsin took another tack and decided to try to defund the program entirely. Sensenbrenner introduced an amendment that would strip all funding for the controversial program. The amendment would make it illegal for the US DOT to use any money to conduct checkpoints or any program to check for helmet useage.

However, the amendment is one of 600 introduced to this particular bill and may not see the light of day. We commend Mr. Sensenbrenner for his defense of motorcyclists and fully understand that the amendment may not receive a vote. We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation stand by, ready to assist Mr. Sensenbrenner in any way we can.

The MRF will keep you informed on this issue as details develop.

 

[Southern Man]

Date and time posted in the release.





GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

- Georgia State Patrol

- Motor Carrier Compliance Division

- Capitol Police



Public Information Office

(404) 624-7597 / gsppio@gsp.net<mailto:gsppio@gsp.net>

March 3, 2011


NEWS RELEASE



GSP EXPANDS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY INITIATIVE



(ATLANTA) - The Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) has received a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to collect data over the next two years to improve motorcycle safety. The $70,000 grant will be used to conduct six, one-day safety checkpoints between March 1 of this year and December 31, 2012.



Lt. Colonel Mark McDonough, DPS Deputy Commissioner, said the goal of the checkpoints is to reduce the number of crashes involving motorcyclists that result in injuries and fatalities. “In a six-year period, Georgia has seen the proportion of fatal motorcycle crashes grow to 12 times greater than that of passenger cars,” he said. “Additionally, traffic crashes involving motorcyclists result in injury or death for 72 percent of the motorcycle operators compared to 16 percent of occupants of passenger cars.”



Georgia saw a sharp increase in the number of fatal crashes involving motorcyclists between 2005 and 2008 as the number of motorcycles registered in the state reached an all-time high. There were 167 motorcycle operators or passengers killed in crashes in 2008.



Lt. Colonel McDonough 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. Also, the Georgia State Patrol launched specialized patrols that included aviation support during the summer months when weekend motorcycle traffic is the heaviest. The enforcement effort along metro Atlanta interstates is focused on motorcycle operators traveling at a high rate of speed, weaving in and out of traffic, traveling in the emergency lane, or driving recklessly around other vehicles. Lt. Colonel McDonough noted troopers have also cited motorcycle operators popping “wheelies” while traveling the roadways.



Since the public education initiative was implemented among all drivers across the state, the number of motorcycle-related fatalities has decreased in Georgia from the 167 recorded in 2008 to a preliminary count of 110 people last year, a 35 percent decrease. So far in 2011, there have been six motorcycle fatalities.



“The first step in reducing motorcycle deaths was the educating of all drivers of the dangers motorcyclists face on our roads, and now the next step will combine enforcement and education to enhance the safety of motorcycle operators and passengers,” he said. “We will be checking to make sure the operator has the proper class of license to operate a motorcycle and a DOT-approved helmet. We will also check that the motorcycle is in good operating condition with good tires, a headlight, and a taillight that is working.” The Lt. Colonel said troopers will be concentrating on the basic violations to protect the operator and passenger in the event of a crash and minimize the injuries they sustain.



The first safety checkpoints of 2011 will be conducted Wednesday, March 9 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. along Interstate 75 at the Southbound Commercial Vehicle Inspection Station in Monroe County. During the same time period, another checkpoint will be established at the Southbound Commercial Vehicle Inspection Station along I-95 in Chatham County, north of Savannah.



Lt. Colonel McDonough said the checkpoints will operate in the same manner as passenger vehicle safety checks conducted each day across the state. Motorcycle operators will be directed by portable highway signs to exit the interstate at the inspection stations where troopers or officers will check that the operator has the proper class of license for the vehicle, a valid tag, a federal DOT-approved motorcycle helmet, and that the operator is not under the influence of alcohol. “For the average operator with the proper license and equipment, the delay should be about a minute,” he said.



The Deputy Commissioner noted that between 2000 and 2006, the fatal crash rate increased 60.8 percent. “Our goal is to make travel in Georgia safer, especially for motorcyclists who are at a greater risk of injury or death in a crash,” he noted.



Additional safety checks will be held in the spring and fall this year.

 

[oldman]

Is it mandatory to have a parking brake on a trike? Is this a Georgia state law or a US-DOT law?

 

[trikeleader]

I checked almost every state for motorcycle statutes and I could not find one that said a parking brake was required on a motorcycle. Lehman started puting them on their trike kits and inferred that the brake made it DOT approved. There is no DOT requirement on the federal level and I can find none on any state level that requires a parking brake.

 

[Southern Man]

Newest update for Abate of GA. it looks like the checkpoint will be on the north end of GA entering the state, I would have thought they would have been on the south end exiting the state.
If you go to the abate of ga facebook page there is a link to send the Governer a personal message, this is all about revenue gathering and not motorcycle saftey.

I wonder how many bikes will be involved in a collision exiting & rentering the traffic flow during these stops.





The following routes were sent in by A.B.A.T.E. members



For I-95 coming into Georgia from South Carolina

Take exit #5 in SC, go right (south?) on US-17. The easiest ro...ute is to follow US-17 to Savannah where once you cross the Savannah River you will pick up I-16 (west), which will take you back to I-95.



For Motorcycles on I-75 Southbound through the state of Georgia

All motorcycles traveling south on Interstate 75 go to exit 193 Johnstonville Road. Take the 1st left on to Smith road and follow it down to Goodwyne road where they will take another left and stay on it until they see the next entrance to Interstate 75.

 

[Big_Steve]

Lt. Colonel McDonough said the checkpoints will operate in the same manner as passenger vehicle safety checks conducted each day across the state. Motorcycle operators will be directed by portable highway signs to exit the interstate at the inspection stations where troopers or officers will check that the operator has the proper class of license for the vehicle, a valid tag, a federal DOT-approved motorcycle helmet, and that the operator is not under the influence of alcohol. “For the average operator with the proper license and equipment, the delay should be about a minute,” he said.

Bovine excrement. They'd do better to pull any cager over using a cellphone.

What in the bloody heck is everyone talking about anyway?