Comments on: Motorists convicted of misdemeanors after killing motorcyclists http://www.injuredbikerlaw.com/motorists-convicted-of-misdemeanors-after-killing-motorcyclists/ Thomas M Kiley Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:52:30 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: Tom Kiley http://www.injuredbikerlaw.com/motorists-convicted-of-misdemeanors-after-killing-motorcyclists/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Tom Kiley Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:32:32 +0000 http://www.injuredbikerlaw.com/?p=811#comment-10 Angela, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately too many times I hear stories like yours that end in tragedy with the motorcyclist being seriously injured or killed. The behavior you described represents a serious and ongoing safety problem for bikers. It places all of us that enjoy the sport at risk. It is stories like this that renew my determination to spread the word that we have to use all means available to us to promote public awareness of motorcycles and protect ourselves on the road. To answer your question directly there is model language, proposed by Public Law 109-59 also known as (SAFETEALU),that is available for adoption by the states. This proposed law promotes education of motorists and therefor safety for motorcyclists. Its also known as the "Share The Road With Motorcycles" program. While it is designed to promote motorcycle safety its main focus is to educate motorists about motorcycles and their unique operating features and safety concerns. The education process is done through operator licensing manuals, public service announcements, pamphlets and websites. The law is designed to educate young motorists starting at the time of initial driver training that motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the road. You can find the model language at www.nhtsa.com In my continuing effort to promote motorcycle safety I encourage visitors of this blog to express their safety concerns in order that we can work together to bring attention to the whole concept of "Share The Road". Its time for us to promote the language in this model legislation for the benefit of all of us that ride. Thanks again for you blog and remember ride responsibly and be safe. Tom Angela, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately too many times I hear stories like yours that end in tragedy with the motorcyclist being seriously injured or killed. The behavior you described represents a serious and ongoing safety problem for bikers. It places all of us that enjoy the sport at risk.

It is stories like this that renew my determination to spread the word that we have to use all means available to us to promote public awareness of motorcycles and protect ourselves on the road.

To answer your question directly there is model language, proposed by Public Law 109-59 also known as (SAFETEALU),that is available for adoption by the states. This proposed law promotes education of motorists and therefor safety for motorcyclists. Its also known as the “Share The Road With Motorcycles” program.

While it is designed to promote motorcycle safety its main focus is to educate motorists about motorcycles and their unique operating features and safety concerns. The education process is done through operator licensing manuals, public service announcements, pamphlets and websites.

The law is designed to educate young motorists starting at the time of initial driver training that motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the road.

You can find the model language at http://www.nhtsa.com

In my continuing effort to promote motorcycle safety I encourage visitors of this blog to express their safety concerns in order that we can work together to bring attention to the whole concept of “Share The Road”.

Its time for us to promote the language in this model legislation for the benefit of all of us that ride.

Thanks again for you blog and remember ride responsibly and be safe.

Tom

]]> By: Angela http://www.injuredbikerlaw.com/motorists-convicted-of-misdemeanors-after-killing-motorcyclists/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Angela Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:50:34 +0000 http://www.injuredbikerlaw.com/?p=811#comment-6 Mr Kiley, With so many driver's negligence causing motorcycle rider's injury and death, what can we motorcyclists do to prevent our own injury at the expense of others aside from protecting ourselves with the right gear, training, and attitude? While merging onto the highway today, a car overcame my riding partner by illegally overtaking him within the lane he was in. Luckily, the rider was able to swerve to miss an accident, but this incident caused by a young driver's road rage and inexperience could have so easily turned into another tragedy. Law enforcement is powerless to do anything against poor and negligent drivers, and even those who drive to endanger, until they actually hurt someone. Is there any proposed legislation to change this and to better protect motorcycle riders? A near accident with a motorcyclist should be punishable, as an actual accident is likely to result in a fatality. Do you have any opinions on this matter? Mr Kiley,

With so many driver’s negligence causing motorcycle rider’s injury and death, what can we motorcyclists do to prevent our own injury at the expense of others aside from protecting ourselves with the right gear, training, and attitude?

While merging onto the highway today, a car overcame my riding partner by illegally overtaking him within the lane he was in. Luckily, the rider was able to swerve to miss an accident, but this incident caused by a young driver’s road rage and inexperience could have so easily turned into another tragedy.

Law enforcement is powerless to do anything against poor and negligent drivers, and even those who drive to endanger, until they actually hurt someone.

Is there any proposed legislation to change this and to better protect motorcycle riders? A near accident with a motorcyclist should be punishable, as an actual accident is likely to result in a fatality. Do you have any opinions on this matter?

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