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Bikers join lawmakers to applaud driving bill (MD)
The Washington Times ^ | 5-13-08 | Tom LoBianco

Posted on 05/13/2008 11:32:36 AM PDT by JZelle

Leather jackets will mingle with pin-stripped suits today when motorcycle clubs arrive at the State House to see their driving-safety bill signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

The bill will impose a six-month suspension, a $1,000 fine or both on drivers who injure or kill somebody by violating road right-of-way laws.

Members of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education, or ABATE, of Maryland have fought for the past five years to pass the legislation, but were largely unsuccessful until this year, when the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration supported it.

The fight became personal in 2006 after the driver of a sport utility vehicle was involved in an accident that killed their former state director, Martin Leo Schultz.

"As things would have it, we proceeded on with the bill," said Gary R. "Pappy" Boward, chairman of ABATE of Maryland Inc. "Everyone was getting very involved legislatively, this was [Mr. Schultz's] assignment."

Mr. Boward said many bikers were disappointed when the person who struck Mr. Schultz received a minimal fine — less than $100 — and no other penalty.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; US: Maryland
KEYWORDS: motorcycles; roadsafety
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1 posted on 05/13/2008 11:32:36 AM PDT by JZelle
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To: martin_fierro

Hooligan ping.


2 posted on 05/13/2008 11:41:24 AM PDT by Squawk 8888 (TSA and DHS are jobs programs for people who are not smart enough to flip burgers)
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To: JZelle

I love how it only became important after a government official lost his life. All are equal, right?

MM


3 posted on 05/13/2008 11:45:01 AM PDT by MississippiMan
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To: MississippiMan

****I love how it only became important after a government official lost his life. All are equal, right?***

Was he a State Government official or simply the Director of the Bikers’ ABATE movement? Article doesn’t make it clear.


4 posted on 05/13/2008 11:51:14 AM PDT by sodpoodle (Despair - man's surrender. Laughter - God's redemption.)
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To: MississippiMan

I think he was the former state director of ABATE and not a gov. official.


5 posted on 05/13/2008 11:52:44 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: MississippiMan
All are equal, right?

All men are CREATED equal.

To propose they remain so is clearly not based upon the evidence.
6 posted on 05/13/2008 11:53:39 AM PDT by Dr.Zoidberg ("Shut the hell up, New York Times, you sanctimonious whining jerks!" - Craig Ferguson)
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To: JZelle

Does this mean bikers are going to have to start obeying traffic laws like not zooming through backups in between lanes?


7 posted on 05/13/2008 12:40:30 PM PDT by PLMerite ("Unarmed, one can only flee from Evil. But Evil isn't overcome by fleeing from it." Jeff Cooper)
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To: 230FMJ; 68 grunt; absolootezer0; AdamSelene235; AJMaXx; angry elephant; arbooz; archy; ...

Visit the FMH Swag Store & support FR!
Send FReepmail if you want on/off FMH list
The List of Ping Lists

8 posted on 05/13/2008 12:47:49 PM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: PLMerite

That’s not illegal in all states. It’s certainly not illegal in California.


9 posted on 05/13/2008 12:50:32 PM PDT by B Knotts (Calvin Coolidge Republican)
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To: PLMerite
Does this mean bikers are going to have to start obeying traffic laws like not zooming through backups in between lanes?

Lane sharing isn't a violation of the traffic laws in many states.

10 posted on 05/13/2008 1:13:37 PM PDT by untrained skeptic
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To: untrained skeptic

“Lane sharing isn’t a violation of the traffic laws in many states.”

I hear you! I drove to a Red Sox game in Boston once during rush hour. There was lots of lane sharing going on!


11 posted on 05/13/2008 1:30:01 PM PDT by JZelle
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To: PLMerite

That’s not necessarily illegal.


12 posted on 05/13/2008 1:41:11 PM PDT by Melas (Offending stupid people since 1963)
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To: JZelle; martin_fierro
The bill will impose a six-month suspension, a $1,000 fine or both on drivers who injure or kill somebody by violating road right-of-way laws.

Does anyone know what the previous penalty, as written in their law books, was for right-of-way violations? Obviously it wasn't enough, but what was it?

And this new law is $hit lame, weak, and useless without jail time. ABATE should be ashamed they let the state get away with a fine and suspension only. T-bonning is now $1000.00 in that state. Oh gee. I'm scared now.

Speeding in a construction zone costs more and you don't even have to hit anyone.

13 posted on 05/13/2008 1:42:31 PM PDT by JoeSixPack1
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To: PLMerite

that is not illegal in some states like california.


14 posted on 05/13/2008 1:44:22 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: JoeSixPack1

The issue is to get recognition of the violation of the right of way.

Up to this point it was not seen as an issue. The little old lady who “did not see the motorcycle” until she was pulled over by the police and forced to look at the blood stains under her car will not be allowed to pass as before.

Now you have the voice, NEXT you push up the punishment.

They should be congradulated for getting the law to this point. Last time I checked they were not “just going to go home and do nothing.”


15 posted on 05/13/2008 2:17:50 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: JoeSixPack1
from the Mikado my purpose all sublime, I will achieve in time, to make the punishment fit the crime... have a little faith, we will get to the destination this is just one stop along the way.
16 posted on 05/13/2008 2:25:24 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: JZelle

Certainly drivers not looking for bikes (of any kind) is a problem. I would also note that motorcyclists are hardly better then Cadillac drivers (the most disconnected drivers on the road IMHO) when it comes to respecting the right of way of bicyclists.


17 posted on 05/13/2008 2:37:16 PM PDT by Dinsdale
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To: longtermmemmory
my purpose all sublime, I will achieve in time, to make the punishment fit the crime...

Well, do have to admit that it seems this wasn't even a crime before.

Then looking back at Gov Janklows (SD) running a stop sign, t-boning and killing a biker, then receiving 100 days in jail WAS a big deal. Who knew??

Pffffft :-)

18 posted on 05/13/2008 3:07:58 PM PDT by JoeSixPack1
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To: JoeSixPack1

be serious, now the mission is to up the penalties.

(it took at least three days to build rome)


19 posted on 05/13/2008 4:15:10 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: JoeSixPack1

Then looking back at Gov Janklows (SD) running a stop sign, t-boning and killing a biker,

The biker T-boned the Governor’s car drivers side rear door. A chance millisecond sooner, and they probably would both be dead.


20 posted on 05/14/2008 7:17:26 AM PDT by wita (truthspeaks@freerepublic.com)
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