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Running over protesters on roadways could soon be legal in North Dakota
wkbw ^ | Jan 15 '17 | Justin Boggs

Posted on 01/16/2017 2:02:58 PM PST by Drango

Protesters may want to think twice about blocking roads in North Dakota.

Republican lawmakers in the state introduced a bill last week in the legislature that would not hold motorists liable for negligently running over someone obstructing a roadway. The bill was introduced in response to a year of protests over a proposed pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

"A driver of a motor vehicle who negligently causes injury or death to an individual obstructing vehicular traffic on a public road, street, or highway may not be held liable for any damages," the bill reads. "A driver of a motor vehicle who unintentionally causes injury or death to an individual obstructing vehicular traffic on a public road, street, or highway is not guilty of an offense."

Lawmakers told the Bismarck Tribune that the bill is needed after protesters blocked traffic during oil pipeline protests.

"It’s shifting the burden of proof from the motor vehicle driver to the pedestrian,” Rep. Keith Kempenich told the paper. (Roads) are not there for the protesters. They’re intentionally putting themselves in danger."

The bill will be heard by the North Dakota's House Transportation Committee on Friday.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: North Dakota
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To: Castigar

Many of the comments don’t seem to be in accord with that interpretation. Just because they can’t convict you doesn’t make it OK. To slay a man is a serious thing, and should only be done in self-defense or in a just war.


21 posted on 01/16/2017 2:14:40 PM PST by proxy_user
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To: Drango

If I’m surrounded by protesters through no fault of my own (i.e they poured out onto the roadway) I’m going through them slow enough to push them aside but if they start banging on my car and trying to get to me out comes Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson and the pedal to the floor.


22 posted on 01/16/2017 2:16:04 PM PST by SkyDancer (Ambition Without Talent Is Sad, Talent Without Ambition Is Worse)
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To: DannyTN

That was my first thought. 5 points for a hippie, 10 points for a liberal, 20 points for a feminazi, and 30 points for a communist.


23 posted on 01/16/2017 2:16:12 PM PST by Publius ("Who is John Galt?" by Billthedrill and Publius available at Amazon.)
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To: Drango

It’s let’s go to Fargo.


24 posted on 01/16/2017 2:16:32 PM PST by Strac6 ("We sleep safe in our beds only because rough men stand ready to visit violence on the enemy.")
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To: DuncanWaring
How is this bill going to distinguish between “protestors” and people merely walking along the side of the road?

Obviously the language in the story teaser needs to be refined into actual legalese to distinguish a person who is intentionally blocking a road in an unlawful manner and an innocent pedestrian. So the answer to your question is through precise unambiguous wording within the actual legislation.
25 posted on 01/16/2017 2:16:32 PM PST by SpaceBar
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To: DuncanWaring

Because if they’re in the middle of the road with signs and bricks and rocks then ....


26 posted on 01/16/2017 2:16:51 PM PST by SkyDancer (Ambition Without Talent Is Sad, Talent Without Ambition Is Worse)
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To: Timpanagos1
"Is there a special provision in the bill to protect people who may be protesting for a worthwhile cause such as people at a Pro-Life Rally or Pro 2A Rally?"

They wouldn't be in the middle of the road blocking traffic.

27 posted on 01/16/2017 2:17:03 PM PST by jackibutterfly (We have to stop saying "How stupid can you get". Too many people are seeing it as a challenge.)
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To: proxy_user

Oh? So busting out your windows and dragging you out of your car to be you to a pulp is morally correct. Okay, got it.


28 posted on 01/16/2017 2:17:49 PM PST by SkyDancer (Ambition Without Talent Is Sad, Talent Without Ambition Is Worse)
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To: ASA Vet

I can see the standard defense to any hit-and-run charge is now going to be “He was protesting and got in my way!”.


29 posted on 01/16/2017 2:17:50 PM PST by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: DuncanWaring

The key word here is “obstructing”, not “protester”. Anyone standing in the roadway is to blame for the accident. If they are walking along the side of the road they aren’t obstructing traffic.


30 posted on 01/16/2017 2:18:02 PM PST by Hugin (Conservatism without Nationalism is a fraud.)
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To: Drango

Not good enough darn it!

Where’s the bounty?

I’d say each pelt should be worth say... $125.00.

/s (well sort of)


31 posted on 01/16/2017 2:18:44 PM PST by DoughtyOne (John McStain. The friend of those who hate our nation.)
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To: Drango

I would rather see a law passed that makes it a felony to intentionally block a roadway. Considering that people have died when emergency vehicles were forced to stop, this is very appropriate.


32 posted on 01/16/2017 2:18:47 PM PST by HerrBlucher (For the sake of His sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.)
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To: Drango
I think if you're on an interstate highway it's already legal, sort of.
There are no sidewalks, or stop lights for crossing, on an interstate highway, because there are not supposed to be pedestrians on a highway.
Occasionally on the morning news I hear about a pedestrian trying to cross a highway and getting run over; but I've never heard of the driver being charged in such a case.
33 posted on 01/16/2017 2:19:03 PM PST by chud
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To: proxy_user

“Many of the comments don’t seem to be in accord with that interpretation. Just because they can’t convict you doesn’t make it OK. To slay a man is a serious thing, and should only be done in self-defense or in a just war.”

But it would only clear people who UNINTENTIONALY or NEGLIGENTLY ran over someone. That means they did not make the choice to do it. So there was no moral choice being made.


34 posted on 01/16/2017 2:19:54 PM PST by Castigar
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To: Drango

Road trip!


35 posted on 01/16/2017 2:20:15 PM PST by bigbob (We have better coverage than Verizon - Can You Hear Us Now?)
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To: ClearCase_guy

I would make sure that your vehicle doesn’t disable itself if the airbags deploy.


36 posted on 01/16/2017 2:21:35 PM PST by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: proxy_user
It may be legal, but it’s still morally wrong.

I think that word "moral," does not mean what you think it means.

37 posted on 01/16/2017 2:22:10 PM PST by gogeo (But he's not a conserrrrrvative!)
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To: Drango

“May not”, or “shall not”?

Big difference...


38 posted on 01/16/2017 2:22:27 PM PST by elteemike (Light travels faster than sound...That's why so many people appear bright until you hear them speak)
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To: SkyDancer

In such a situation, a surplus Crown Vic interceptor could be handy.


39 posted on 01/16/2017 2:22:28 PM PST by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
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To: Drango

I would feel threatened for my life. Either I would ram them or get out and draw down on them till they moved out of my way.


40 posted on 01/16/2017 2:22:31 PM PST by Vaquero ( Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
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