Screwdiver
MASSACHUSETTS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MMA/MRF CALL TO ACTION - Mandatory Motorcycle Roadside Stops
The MMA has long opposed motorcycle-only checkpoints such as those used last year in Sterling, MA, and in neighboring states such as NY. For NHTSA to propose using taxpayer money to propagate this is something we should all be significantly concerned with.
Where the MMA is your Motorcycle Rights Organizaiton here in MA, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is our National Counterpart watching out for your rights in Washington. The MRF Call To Action is something we should all read and consider taking action upon. For example:
Honorable Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
Dear Secretary LaHood,
I find it disturbing that the National Highway Transportation Safety Authority would consider using my tax dollars against law abiding citizens, yet that’s exactly what I understand is being proposed in their recent call for grant applications solely aimed against Motorcyclists.
I’m one of those law abiding citizens, and I urge you to intervene. The suggestion that more Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints, which I consider a violation of my civil rights, is not part of our system of government, nor will it solve any problems.
There are many issues facing motorcyclists on the road that could and should be addressed – perhaps it’s time to work towards broader education including right-of-way violations rather than Motorcycle-Only checkpoints.
Sincerely,
Member, Massachusetts Motorcycle Association
For More information, please see http://www.massmotorcycle.org or contact Rick Gleason, MMA Legislative Director at LegislativeDirector@MassMotorcycle.org or Doc D’Errico, MRF MA State Representative at doc@derrico.net
Forwarded Message:
MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE | Suite 510 | Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice) | 202-546-0986 (fax) | http://www.mrf.org
MRF URGENT CALL TO ACTION - Mandatory Motorcycle Roadside Stops
A mandatory roadside motorcycle stop may be coming to a town near you, reports the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF). Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has asked for applications from law enforcement outfits to apply for a new pot of taxpayer money designated for pulling motorcyclists off the road to lecture them about safety.
A mandatory roadside motorcycle stop may be coming to a town near you, reports the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF). Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has asked for applications from law enforcement outfits to apply for a new pot of taxpayer money designated for pulling motorcyclists off the road to lecture them about safety.
The MRF strongly opposes this sort of discrimination against motorcyclists. “Pulling over law-abiding motorcyclists does not make anyone safer and is huge waste of taxpayer money,” said Jeff Hennie, Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs for the MRF.
NHTSA’s request for applications asks law enforcement officials to submit plans similar to what New York State Police did last summer. They set up outside big public motorcycle gatherings and pulled every single motorcyclist over to the side of the road to lecture them about safety, drinking and riding, proper tire inflation, and so on.
The MRF feels there are much more productive and less discriminatory ways to promote safety for motorcyclists, and is disappointed that this approach was decided upon behind closed doors by a group of federal employees who apparently did not consult anyone in the motorcycling community for their input and expertise in motorcycle safety.
This particular project is limited to five law enforcement agencies, and total funding is capped at $350,000. In these tough economic times, that’s a ton of money. The deadline for applications is August 13, and to the MRF’s knowledge, no applications have yet been submitted.
The MRF will be investigating to determine if NHTSA and the federal government have legal jurisdiction to fund states to single out one particular type of vehicle for clearly discriminatory practices over other vehicles, and will be working diligently to see that these proposed grants are never awarded.
The MRF encourages you to contact U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today to voice your displeasure, either by phone: 202-366-4000 or by email: http://ntl.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ntl.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php
Contact Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs, at Jeff@mrf.org if you have any questions or need further information.