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
Brainiac
February 23rd, 2011
6:39 pm
Eric: There you go again calling “The truth” a moron and an idiot. I insist that you apologize to
morons and idiots everywhere.
Dirty Ole Outlaw
February 23rd, 2011
6:47 pm
Brainiac, If I’m reading you right Eric owes me TWO appologies. LOL
Brainiac
February 23rd, 2011
6:54 pm
Cliff: If you are what you say you are, I agree with you to a point but it is the company you keep. You know for a fact that the entire group/groups will not live up to your credentials. You can bet your DOT approved helmet there will be a large percent of those checked that will get written up. ALL THIS WILL HAPPEN IN SPITE OF BIKERS BEING GIVEN WEEKS OF ADVANCE WARNING, Nobody should be operating a vehicle(any type vehicle) on a public road while drinking and/or drugging or no insurance or license.
Brainiac
February 23rd, 2011
6:57 pm
Dirty Ole……… Right on Bro. Just be extra careful out there. I like your sense of humor.
Ronnie "Machinegun" Thompson(Former Macon Mayor)
February 23rd, 2011
7:03 pm
Hey GSP. If they run……. shoot to kill. As a side venue set up a few cable locations that can stretched tight on a moments notice. That $70,000.00 Grant is going to balance Georgia’s budget.
Jesse Jackson
February 23rd, 2011
7:15 pm
You con stop all the bikes you want…as long as they’re not black. That’ sprofiling. And profiling’s wrong.
dawgydawg47
February 23rd, 2011
7:23 pm
Follow the money. It works every time.
Jim
February 23rd, 2011
7:26 pm
Imagine if we could buy alcohol on SUNDAY…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TOM_UuQzc0
Ronnie "Machinegun" Thompson(Former Macon Mayor)
February 23rd, 2011
7:36 pm
Another Dirtbag………It is all our business if you get yourself injured or killed because of not wearing proper safety equipment. I have personal knowledge of bikers injured that ended up as wards of the state because they were paralyzed and the family/no insurance was unable to pay the life-support costs. There were also fatalities, largely because of not wearing proper safety equipment. Yep! Both issues issues are my business because people like you don’t see the big picture. Therefore we become burdened with more laws because some of you refuse to take the proper precautions on your own. Injuries/paralyzation/deaths are all paid for by taxpayers which I happen to be one. I hate it for anybody to be injured or worse and for the damage to your property. It isn’t just bikers. The biggest idiots/morons are drivers who refuse to buckle up and possibly worse, text while driving. At any rate I have been a part of raising funds because the breadwinner of a family dies and the family can’t even afford to pay for the funeral and certainly not extended life-support. The entire family including children will become wards of the state(taxpayers). In addition to all that, my insurance rates go up to pay for your accident, medical care and liife insurance. You are damn right it is our business how you conduct yourself in public.
tom
February 23rd, 2011
7:44 pm
Enter your comments here
Another dirtbag biker
February 23rd, 2011
9:23 pm
Ronnie do you think there has ever been a case in which an uninsured automobile driver got into an accident and became a ward of the state along with their entire family, or are bikers the only ones capable of this?
Again, like most of the other posts, you assume if a motorcyclist has an accident it must have been his own fault. My two motorcycle accidents were caused by people in cars! I don’t know if they both had insurance because one of them left the scene of the accident. The other one did and she paid my medical bills and went to jail.
By the way, you have completely missed the point of the article and these posts. Another fine example of the problems in our elected officials.
numbers don't lie
February 23rd, 2011
9:24 pm
“Per vehicle mile traveled, bikers are about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash and 9 times more likely to be injured.” ***
motorcycles are driving up the cost of insurance and medicare and should be banned from public roads.
*** http://www.edgarsnyder.com/motorcycle-accident/statistics.html
Another dirtbag biker
February 23rd, 2011
9:47 pm
Hey Numbers, nice statistics source you found. Really, an ambulance chaser is the best you could do?
Let me ask you this: How many people ride their motorcycles as much as they drive their cars? I don’t know either, but I’d be willing to bet it’s probably pretty few of them. So the statistic you decided to cite is already pretty slanted.
And yes, without the benefit of several tons of steel wrapped around you, your chances of injury or death are greater on a motorcycle versus a car.
That’s the great thing about statistics, you can make them say anything you want them to.
You can have my motorcycle(s) when you give up your guns!
thank them?
February 23rd, 2011
10:11 pm
thank the police state for taking away more basic rights? funny stuff!
Question Man
February 23rd, 2011
10:40 pm
Isn’t it discriminatory to check only bikers? Why can’t the State Patrol do something useful like checking for undocumented workers using our highways?
Bill Johnson
February 24th, 2011
7:15 am
Another 4th amendment violation. What, it’s not an illegal search and seizure if they do it to everybody? That’s what they say for DUI checks. But it’s horse hockey.
And this stop is only for two wheelers. Not everybody. Probable cause, anyone?
Yes, bikers are presumed guilty until presumed innocent. Like so many americans today.
Water the tree of liberty, ye sons of liberty.
Bill Johnson
February 24th, 2011
7:19 am
“Another Dirtbag………It is all our business if you get yourself injured or killed because of not wearing proper safety equipment. I have personal knowledge of bikers injured that ended up as wards of the state because they were paralyzed and the family/no insurance was unable to pay the life-support costs. ”
Who made that choice to treat the biker? The Biker? No? So he’s at fault how?
Listen, if you are all compassionate and all, and have to put every carcass into hospital, don’t come looking to me to justify your actions, nor to pay for them.
Let the biker suffer the consequences of his activity.It’s his right to die by the road without a helmet. And your right to walk on past. So dont blame the biker for the cost of your charity.
ROGUE
February 24th, 2011
7:21 am
For those interested in helping you can contact the Governor at
The Office of the Governor
State of Georgia
203 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Phone:
404-656-1776
Fax:
404-657-7332
ROGUE
February 24th, 2011
7:31 am
It is suggest that those who get stopped use a tape recorder and Video or other camera to record what happened at the stop. This can later be put on youtube to inform others of what is happening and or in your defense if you are charged wit anything.
Remember You Do Not Have To Answer Questions and or Consent To A Search Of Your Self or Motorcycle.
You also have a right to ask why you were stopped and are being detained against your will.
Get the officers name and badge number in case you need it for future complaints against him.
There is more information on how to handle these stops on the BOLT website – Bikers Of Lesser Tolerance.
Do not let your rights get trampled on.
just a biker
February 24th, 2011
8:03 am
the claimed reason they are pulling over motorcycle riders is because of the aforementioned helmets/impaired drivers and to assure themselves that everyone riding a bike is properly licensed. i have several comments. it’s clear profiling. if they were only concerned with georgia rider safety, why set up check points when hundreds of thousands of riders (and bikes in trailers though does this include them) from other states are rolling through. it’s profiling and it’s economics.
sure they have our license and reg that says “i am one of 200,000 registered motorcycles in the state of georgia” but my license doesn’t tell them if i am an illegal behaving motorcyclist or a law abiding motorcyclist. i’ve been riding all over this country for over 25 years, i have been profiled dozens of times by law enforcement because i ride a motorcycle. and i think that if church going suv drivers were pulled over in check points, there’d be national stink because you people count more than we do. you think we’re all 1%ers and yet so many of you want to be like us. My view is that they need to do more motorcycle safety education to persons driving vehicles with 4 or more wheels. the majority of accidents to motorcyclists come from situations where 4 or more wheeled vehicles murder us “oh i didn’t see him/her” is a lame excuse. (and a side note to hates loud pipes, i’m sorry you wish us dead, perhaps your small life will be saved by a motorcyclists one day and you’ll feel differently)
Steve Majors
February 24th, 2011
8:06 am
Georgia bikers, as well as those visiting Daytona Beach, are getting what they deserve.
Instead of standing up for their rights when it matters (during the campaign season), they will only get off their @sses for having fun. So next time someone’s running for office, be totally absent.
Soon your rights will be, too.
disgruntle biker
February 24th, 2011
8:13 am
the State of new hampshire does not require insurance on ANY VEHICAL.. how is Georgia going to fine anyone for no insurance if someone’s passing through? when did Georgia start safety inspections?
I’ve lived here for 3 years and never seen an inspection station. if there was one 90% of the vehicals owned by city officials would be illigal.
LT 54
February 24th, 2011
9:21 am
It is a serious misconception by the “non-motorcycling” public
that “bikers”, “motorcyclists”, “motorcycle enthusiasts” do not have the same rights that they do.
FACT: Motorcyclists are consistently safer, more experienced and more alert, in all respects than the average “cager”. And even when a motorcyclist is in a cage they use their motorcycling skills and are more aware in regards to their biker brethren and motoring public in general. You have to ride like you are invisible to EVERYONE else. Nuff said about the “safety” issue.
In regards to “Freedoms”, We the People have to protect those freedoms at whatever the cost. My only political agenda is to have as little Governmental interference in my life as possible. We put these people in office to represent and serve US. When they fail to represent and serve US they have outlived their usefulness and need to removed. Pay attention to what’s going on around you, while riding and while living and hold all who stand in the way of those freedoms accountable.
Ride & stay safe.
It's Me
February 24th, 2011
10:33 am
Stop ALL vehicles NOT just motorcycles. If they are really interested in stopping either drugs, or saving lives then why just motorcycles? And besides, I ride with death everyday as my companion so I am used to being at risk ad I accept it. I don’t need the police to stop me to tell me to be careful I could die. If I needed that then stop everyone going into the airport to and tell them, and how in front of schools stop them too. Get it yet? This is harassment plain and simple. And we are losing more and more of OUR freedoms EVERYDAY. Most of you are probably too young to remember what it was like in the 60’s and even early 70’s when you could have fun without being a target.
Mike Greenwald
February 24th, 2011
1:05 pm
Jim,
Your assumption is misguided and wrong.
The stops have nothing to do with helmets nor EPA stamped pipes. Those are nuisance add-ons for the GHP to write up. It has nothing to do with guns, either.
As the “Insider”, why not tell your reders what the “Inside” information really is.
Mike Greenwald
CATFISH
February 24th, 2011
6:57 pm
Grasshopper was pretty close.
Look at it this way. There are 365 days in a year, that’s 8760 hours. Let’s say the GA’s GSP is holding a 24 hour Regulatory Search.
Hey…That’s 8736 hours they are not bothering you!!!
24 hours is less than one percent of your time in a year. 24 hours out of 8760 sounds fairly reasonable to me.
And the 4th amendment speaks of “unreasonable” searches and seizures. Reasonable – being the key word here. I like that word – reasonable.
GA’s DNR conducts Regulatory searches all the time, they have for years. They haven’t lost a case yet. And they ramp up their Regulatory searches on boaters at times of the year when boating activity is heaviest. Maybe they should start having a boat week on Lake Cheeto and claim “profiling”. But I don’t think it will do much good. Regulatory searches have been around for a long time. Regulatory searches are conducted on the trucking community every day. Regulatory searches are here to stay.
The Civil Rights act of 1964 speaks of a person’s race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Not of the type vehicle they drive.
Me personally, I feel you should not have to wear a helmet. But of course- only after you have signed an agreement with your insurance agent agreeing to pay a higher premium, that’s not unreasonable (there’s that word again) because you will certainly incur many more knots on your head after a crash than someone with a helmet. Did you know doctors, hospitals and CAT scans are expensive? Of course, GSP will want to occasionally perform a regulatory search to see if you have that Higher Premium “unhelmeted” insurance. (huuuummmm… I say somewhere in the area of 1000% more expensive than the Lower Premium “Helmeted” Insurance).
The funny thing is when that officer asks for License, Registration and Insurance and the bike rider is noticeably drunk or high on what ever……I guess the Motorcycle community wants the Police to just let him go free.
CATFISH
February 24th, 2011
8:52 pm
We all see and hear motorcyclist. On Interstates, on state routes’ in the city, in the suburbs, in rural areas, and in residential areas. Day time, night time, weekends, and weekdays. And since The majority of the population have not the luxury of living a great distance from the roadway, I personally believe motorcyclist should be allowed to place the loudest muffler on their bike they can find….. ….Well …..only if they register for the privilege (let’s make it part of their home owners insurance). And a part of that privilege requires you to post a big huge sign (with at least 12 inch letters) in your front yard stating…
” If you own any internal combustible engine with a loud muffler please drive it by my house. I like loud noises. It makes me feel more STUD LIKE. Please drive by anytime of the day, anytime of the night, any day of the week, and any day of the weekend. Additionally, if you have one of those loud boom boxes that go thump thump thump thump, please crank it way up when you come by and please drive by real slow. And hey…. Don’t forget to honk your horn, I like to know – that you know – you’re pleasing me and my family’s auditory senses”.
Of course as a part of signing up that privilege means it is a binding contract for at least 33 years. So when you’ve grown wiser and more respectful and considerate of your fellow humans you’ll still have to post that sign in your yard and not enjoy the protection of noise ordinance officers.
I think we should enact legislation soon. Hey…….. maybe we can get Police units to come by occasionally whaling their siren. Besides pleasing with those desiring loud audible noises…. it will help make sure people will not wreck into them. You know…like loud mufflers on motorcycles will help keep them out of wrecks.
1 Adam 12
February 25th, 2011
1:40 am
It’s your republican governor getting government out of your lives.
10-4.
mark318
February 25th, 2011
1:07 pm
I wrote the Gov, and Rep Scott. I did get a call from Scott’s staff. They sounded like it was a state matter even though the feds are funding it. It’s not just Ga and it’s already in the appellate courts in NY. Scott’s office said an email would be forthcoming to me.
mike
February 25th, 2011
6:03 pm
julie, your an idiot!!!!
mint berry crunch
February 26th, 2011
7:51 am
If we were to pull over all black people on interstaates that would not take long. Most don’t have a (have to pull over MARTA buses). Liberals get your hand out of my pocket. Go love on that disgusting Marxist/Socialist president you dumb a**es love. guess what, he will not be reelected as he is screwing up the country, bad. Gas going way up. no private sector jobs, just more worthless gov’t employees, most of who are minorities. Take care of yourself, scumbags. If liberals did not take tax $ from conservatives they could not even live. Dependent users (Democrats) make me sick.
Will Stockdale
February 26th, 2011
11:52 pm
Hey Ben, maybe you’ll get to like the Air Force. Zooming all over the sky and shouting ROGER and WILCO and everything. Maybe it won’t be so bad.
metismom
February 27th, 2011
4:11 am
first they came for the bikers…..
It always begins with those that are easy to dislike.
Your next.
Jay
February 28th, 2011
12:54 pm
“Excuse you Lester. Where do you think profiling came from? What is going to be funny is all the goobers riding through Georgia without a helmet. Maybe the ticket fees will help out the HOPE scholarship program.”
You do realize HOPE is funded entirely by the Ga Lottery, right?
Illini Biker
March 1st, 2011
12:01 pm
Billy Ray, those rights are contained in a thing called the “Bill of Rights”. It’s part of the constitution. Specifically the Fourth Amendment which regards search and siezure without probable cause. last I checked, riding a motorcycle down the highway is hardly probable cause for being pulled over, unless they stop every vehicle. Picking just bikes is wrong.