Daytona-bound bikers protest State Patrol checkpoints
The American Motorcyclist Association is calling on Gov. Nathan Deal to block a federally funded Georgia State Patrol program to set up traffic checkpoints targeting Daytona-bound bikers next month:
Tens of thousands of motorcyclists from around the nation could be subject to Georgia motorcycle-only checkpoints if those checkpoints are in place before, during and after Daytona (Fla.) Bike Week, which runs March 4-13….
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave Georgia a $70,000 grant to conduct one or more roadside motorcycle-only checkpoints. New York state has operated a similar program. The AMA has been tracking this disturbing development of motorcycle-only checkpoints since it first appeared in New York several years ago.
“The AMA believes that the primary source of motorcycle safety is in motorcycle crash prevention and not in arbitrarily pulling over riders and randomly subjecting them to roadside inspections,” [said Ed Moreland, AMA senior vice president for government affairs.]
The Insider is assuming that helmets are the issue. Georgia mandates their use for all motocyclists. In Florida, bikers over the age of 21 are permitted to ride without them.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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235 comments Add your comment
Jack
February 23rd, 2011
3:03 pm
The biggest threat to people on motorcycle’s are people in cars on cell phones, iphones smart phones (not sure why the users are so dumb) So I think they should take the 70k. Have auto/truck only checkpoints. And then those with these devices on them be subject to a Airport type Screening, while being told about how they should leave these things alone when operating a dangerous machine.
Better yea as someone else suggest – This looks like a good spending cut.
Tommy
February 23rd, 2011
3:04 pm
This road block does not have anything to do with loud pipes. It is all about people riding bikes without DOT approved helmets, packing drugs, weapons, and no license. As a rider myself on a bike with loud pipes that are legal I pack a weapon with a permit, wear a DOT helmet so I won’t have a problem.
My only problem is the profiling of bikers. You don’t profile blacks, or everyone driving mustangs, or all Pickups, so why stop all bikers. Is this not against their civil rights? Is this not the same thing as saying “stop all white guys over forty or all black women fewer than twenty five” anytime you single out a group you are profiling and this is against the law.
You are not allowed to single out a group of people. That is why we can’t say “everyone from the middle east you must have a cavity search at the airport” and “everyone else continue to your plane”.
Mr. Deal this is a lawsuit wait to happen. I hope you spend 70k and then loose much more in court. This is not a socialist country yet. Obama is trying but we still have hope.
TBone
February 23rd, 2011
3:05 pm
I knew it all along; all you wobblies with your ape hangers and fat old ladies have created the profile of a “biker”. Does that mean that the dignified riders will be passed through?
Daytona-bound bikers protest State Patrol checkpoints | Conservative GA
February 23rd, 2011
3:05 pm
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Grasshopper
February 23rd, 2011
3:09 pm
Sorry bikers…this is not profiling.
State authorities can randomly pull over truckers to check their creds, boaters to check their licenses and any driver to do the same.
It would be profiling if they stopped only blacks on bikes, or Hispanics in cars, or whatever.
Missing the Point
February 23rd, 2011
3:10 pm
Alot of people seem to be missing the point here. If the GSP sets up a roadblock and stops EVERYONE then so be it, but to PROFILE or single out the bikers just because they THINK there may be some safety issues (under the guise of “safety issues”) is very wrong. If this practice is deemed acceptable, then why don’t we have “Road Blocks for Rednecks” day or “Road Blocks for Blacks” day or “Road Blocks For Possible Illegals” day or even “Road Blocks for Soccer Moms” day because we all know they will be speeding . . .
I own a bike and the only thing I ever worry about is all the IDIOTS that drive in Atlanta that don’t bother to drive carefully around motorcycles . . . too many times I have had to take evasive action because of some moron that was able to get a drivers license and operate a vehicle – people should have to pass an IQ test to get a drivers license . . .
sam the sham
February 23rd, 2011
3:12 pm
What would be said if the grant was to pull over hoopties with 22’s.
Tom
February 23rd, 2011
3:12 pm
Bikers used to be bad ass**, now they are a bunch of winey libs! Crybabies!! If you don’t like Georgia, go around us!!
Missing the Point
February 23rd, 2011
3:12 pm
@Grasshopper – it IS profiling if they ONLY pull over motorcycles and use a roadblock. Random selection IS NOT a roadblock!!
heady
February 23rd, 2011
3:13 pm
Checkpoints are stupid.
Missing the Point
February 23rd, 2011
3:14 pm
@sam the sham – look out for Al Sharpton and his crew . . . and the national news . . .
Randy
February 23rd, 2011
3:17 pm
Searching the bike or person without probable cause is illegal but a road check for license, insurance and proof of ownership shouldn’t bother any law abiding citizen. Check the soccer mom, the church parking lot, or anywhere else! If you have nothing to hide you shouldn’t wear the “don’t tread on me” on your sleeve! I do own a bike and I do ride and I have license, legal exhaust, insurance, helmet and don’t mind being checked.
ml
February 23rd, 2011
3:18 pm
illegal search adn seizure brought to you by what party? that’s right the republican party and that stupid war on drugs or war on our own people. these roadblocks started in the 80’s. no one who protects and serves sets up these kind of roadblocks. only an occupying force sets up thses kind of roadblocks. you got a kidnapped person or a violent offender attempting to flee, then set up a roadblock just looking for the offender only. but at a roadblock a freedom and all rights are taken away from you. every person that goes to a roadblock is GUILTY until they prove their innocence and then they are allowed to leave. that is just plain wrong! it’s what the redcoats did to us and why the illegal search seizure part of our old rights was in there. if you are a policeman and you work at a roadblock you are NOT
markie mark
February 23rd, 2011
3:20 pm
I moved up not long ago from St Augustine…..you know its bike week when bikes are cruising down A1A in front of your house at 1 am…..that being said, I useta love sitting on the front deck and watching all the bikes….some were beautiful, not to mention some of the Riders !!
And for those of you who are fans of Florida’s no helmet law….did you know that the lady that fought for and spearheaded that law (forget her name) died within 90 days of it being passed? From….you guessed it….a wreck where she hit her head on the pavement. She would have survived if wearing a helmet….
ml
February 23rd, 2011
3:22 pm
if you are a policeman and you work at a roadblock you are NOT a patriot! not of this country, not of America. you are doing things soviet style, china style, etc. this is awful and just another example of the erosion of our rights and an America that was once wonderful and great. and all done by the flag wavers, how completely dishonorable!
David Hoffman
February 23rd, 2011
3:23 pm
The best way to eliminate this in the future is to overload the GSP politely. Several hundred bikers, clean, quiet, legal, and safe, all stopped at once at each checkpoint. Do that several times in one day, with no tickets issued because no one was in violation, and next year the GSP will not want to do any checkpoints.
Pete
February 23rd, 2011
3:23 pm
let me see, almost 35 years riding in the rain and sun, a MSF instructor, and yes I’ve customized one of my current motorcycles, including a different exhaust. My other bike you could whisper next to but I see people looking when they hear the customized bike. To each his own . “Look twice, save a life”
Pete
February 23rd, 2011
3:25 pm
i’m not a total anarchist though, i do wear a helmet
Grasshopper
February 23rd, 2011
3:25 pm
@Missing the Point — your name is apt.
If they stop every biker, it is not profiling.
If they stop every 10th biker, it is not profiling.
If they stop every black biker, then it becomes profiling.
Shep
February 23rd, 2011
3:28 pm
Yeah I am all for outlawing those loud pipes. There is nothing more annoying than going on a peaceful mountain drive and getting stuck behind some stupid redneck on a harley. What about my God given constitutional right to have some peace and quiet.
Zack
February 23rd, 2011
3:28 pm
Missing the point. Yeah your missing the point alright. Why in the world would Al Sharpton get involved in this? He doesn’t care about bikers especially since the majority of the people that will be riding them to Florida will be white guys.
dudefly
February 23rd, 2011
3:29 pm
The feds are handing out grant money to profile and harass bikers? We’re flat out broke yet we have money for this? I don’t ride, but from my experience on the interstates, bikers are not an issue from a safety perspective. They ride together and at a reasonable pace so I am not sure what menace they are trying to thwart with this targeted approach. They even use their blinkers for crying out loud.
Prison Planeteer
February 23rd, 2011
3:29 pm
This is their way of training us to be prisoners. This year it’s the bikers, next year it’s the hikers, the year after that they stop and inspect all passenger vehicles. This isn’t a “nanny state” at all–it’s a full-blown POLICE STATE. They should all just detour through Alabama.
Pete
February 23rd, 2011
3:31 pm
Carpetbagger, if you’re a F-16 driver then you’re not in GA. You ready for the transition to RPV’s?
Ross
February 23rd, 2011
3:33 pm
Here’s the “deal” – I don’t care of some of them have drugs – they surely do. I don’t care if some of them are drunk – they surely are. I don’t care if they kill people unjustly – they surely will. The issue is which is more dangerous – drunk bikers, or allowing the government powers of invasion of privacy that are forbidden by the Constitution. I always find it remarkable that right-wingers will support the most outrageous violations of Constitutional principles.
-drl
Missing the Point
February 23rd, 2011
3:33 pm
@Grasshopper – go consult your Master and learn . . . Profiling (in this reference) is a law enforcement investigative technique that develops a behavioral pattern of an offender who has not yet been caught. I am not talking about RACIAL profiling but profiling of licensed operators of any vehicle type operated on an interstate. The GSP IS profiling by setting up a roadblock and ONLY stopping motorcyclists. Need more enlightenment . . . ?
Missing the Point
February 23rd, 2011
3:34 pm
@ZAck refer to @sam the sham’s comment . . . moron
SOLR
February 23rd, 2011
3:34 pm
Boycott Georgia with your wallets,if your coming thru get food and gas before and after Georgia,spread the word.
Harvey Mushman
February 23rd, 2011
3:40 pm
Newsflash for Ms. Julie Camp: “this just in…all motorcyclist do drugs and disobey traffic laws, all white people can’t dance and all black people like fried chicken.”
Grasshopper
February 23rd, 2011
3:40 pm
@Missing the Point —
You say it is profiling.
I say it isn’t.
When it happens without succesful lawsuits to the contrary, we’ll see who is correct in their assertion.
And who do you propose as my Master?
Crotch Rocket
February 23rd, 2011
3:41 pm
New GSP grant just passed for road checks on Chrysler 300 and Cadillac Escalade. Imagine that treasure trove of party favors!
Lurleen
February 23rd, 2011
3:42 pm
We are in a slow economy & they are looking for easy revenue. What better than thousands of visitors riding through our state at a specific time? They’ll be checking licenses & insurance and issuing tickets for any small infraction they can find.
It is an embarrassment to the state.
Tom
February 23rd, 2011
3:43 pm
All Bikers, Muslims and Illegals stay the hell out of Georgia!! Better yet, all Illegal Muslim Bikers stay out of Georgia. Just sayin!!!
Grasshopper
February 23rd, 2011
3:43 pm
^^^ That is seriously funny Crotch!
Beeg Boi
February 23rd, 2011
3:43 pm
If the GSP was really inrested in protecting the public they would profile Honda Odyssey drivers. They are without question the worst drivers on the planet. That would be a win-win for everyone.
findog
February 23rd, 2011
3:45 pm
Do we have similar programs for Spring Break when Junior is motoring down to Daytona with his Fraternity Brother’s?
What about I-16 to Savannah March 16-17 for the sorority girls heading to the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade?
Then there’s I-85 to catch I-10 to New Orleans for Mardi Gras; or GA-316 after a UGA home game…
When do we decide the constitution allows us to have special treatment for a class of citizen legally operating a permitted conveyance is a necessary, Federally-Funded, function of the State Patrol?
bluto
February 23rd, 2011
3:48 pm
They should do the opposite. tell the bikers that their will be no cops on the road. Then they can all ride like idiots and we can scrape them off the road after bike week is over. For every “look twice save a live” motorcycle sticker I see , I see about 5 idiots swerving all through traffic and endangering other drivers.
Poke 'em with a stick.
February 23rd, 2011
3:49 pm
There goes Bluto with the “statistics for morons” class. Like you can ride better?
Missing the Point
February 23rd, 2011
3:50 pm
@Grasshopper – your Master? not for me to say who you learn from . . . Master Po maybe . . .
Unfortunately, no one will stand up to challenge this in court . . . they will only complain . . .
TS
February 23rd, 2011
3:52 pm
Black college spring break is the week after bike week. Why don’t we pull over all cars rolling on 22’s that week. Fair?
Grasshopper
February 23rd, 2011
3:52 pm
@Missing — Master Po? Could do worse I guess.
Kennesaw Dave
February 23rd, 2011
3:56 pm
Talk about ruining a good time. Now to be fair, I’m sure part of this does have a SLIGHT safety element to it. And I have the utmost respect for police and all that jazz. But I’m sorry, all I concluded after reading this article was that this was simply a way for the state to collect some more tax money for its general fund since there will be 10s of 1,000s of bikers driving through the state to get to Daytona Week. That’s all this is, is a revenue weekend and the poor troopers have to be the collectors.
CJ
February 23rd, 2011
4:01 pm
To all of my brother and sister bikers coming to the great state of Florida for our Bike Week….Please show your displeasure with this by spending as little money in the state of Georgia as possible. No food!! No gas!! No lodging!!!! Let them make do with what money they can steal. And their ill-gotten federal money!!!!
willydoit?
February 23rd, 2011
4:01 pm
If they want to ride helmetless…let’em!
Georgia needs organ donars!
Zack
February 23rd, 2011
4:03 pm
oh no TS, your gonna get AL Sharpton involved now. @Missing the point will be sure to point that out for ya.
markie mark
February 23rd, 2011
4:03 pm
Tell all the bikers to ride Hwy 17 across GA to A1A in Nassau County (first county in Florida) that is the way to bypass I-95 and the GSP….
findog
February 23rd, 2011
4:03 pm
Last Man,
As someone in his mid sixty’s you apparently need to seek some meds for dementia. The constitution forbids fishing expeditions for those who MIGHT NOT BE in compliance with the law; of course you could be one of the many eastern European exiles from the other side of the iron curtain who sought refuge here that forgot what it was like to live in a police state…
demsuxs
February 23rd, 2011
4:04 pm
feds should do the road blocks w/ the army if they really want to blow some money. lets give our gov more money so they can just throw it away like they always do. why dont we start protests and run the gov. guys out of town.
Lugnut
February 23rd, 2011
4:05 pm
By singling out motorcyclists, there should be far less opposition to the singling out of Mitsubishi Eclipse Drivers on the southern arc of 285, Prius Drivers in Roswell/Sandy Springs, and female Volvo Crossover drivers in Alpharetta and Johns Creek. By the way, a new bill in the legislature calls for drivers of cars to also wear helmets. Helmets are a good idea, and not just for motorcyclists. If they wear them in race cars, why shouldn’t they be worn as part of the daily drive? I applaud the effort, as does every politician holding stock in Bell Helmets.
jo yo
February 23rd, 2011
4:06 pm
They sometimes pull the same stunt at spring break on I-185, just above Columbus, GA. A policeman friend said it was an easy way to raise money off the backs of mostly Atlanta area resiends on the way to the beach. They make lots of money and seldom have to ticket or arrest the locals.