Motorcycle Safety Bills Pass in Oklahoma

Increasing motorcycle registrations and a rise in motorcycle-related fatalities in Oklahoma have prompted passage in the state Legislature of a pair of measures aimed at improving motorcycle safety.

HB 2264, "Gunner's Bill," authored by state Rep. Mike Christian and state Sen. Steve Russell, allows the state to add a $3 fee, designated for motorcycle safety and education, to the existing cost of registering a motorcycle. It also establishes a revolving fund into which the money is to be deposited.

The bill is effective Nov. 1 and awaits the signature of Gov. Brad Henry.

SB 1670, authored by Rep. Daniel Sullivan and Sen. Randy Bass, establishes the membership and terms of an Advisory Committee for Motorcycle Safety and Education.

It will take effect July 1.

Rep. Christian said the legislative action was necessary because motorcycle registrations continue to increase in Oklahoma; therefore, without training and prevention efforts, vehicle crashes involving motorcycles are likely to increase.

According to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, there were 115,381 registered motorcyclists in the state in 2008. That's a 14.3 percent increase over 2007.

Oklahoma Highway Safety Office statistics show that 1,978 motorcycle operators and passengers were involved in crashes in 2008. Eighty-seven motorcyclists were killed and 1,576 motorcyclists were injured. Motorcycle fatalities increased 17.6 percent from 2007 to 2008; injuries increased 21.4 percent in the same period.

HB 2264 is known as "Gunner's Bill" in honor of Robert "Gunner" Catcher, a motorcyclist who died after being struck by a pickup in 2009. The driver of the truck said he did not see Catcher.

Source: Oklahoma Legislature