OFF THE WIRE
By
former Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.)
Last week, U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.),
Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced S. 2078, the
Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act.
S. 2078 would prohibit
federal funds from being used to fund motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Motorcycle-only checkpoints are a form of traffic enforcement used by
state or local law enforcement officials designed to stop all passing
motorcyclists – and only motorcyclists – while they check for compliance
with state laws covering license endorsement, helmet use and exhaust
systems, among other things.
Grants used by state and local officials to operate motorcycle-only
checkpoints come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
funds that are intended to reduce motorcycle fatalities.Let me be
clear, the American Motorcyclist Association fully supports reducing
motorcycle crashes, injuries and fatalities because safety -- for all
road users -- is our top priority.
However, we do not believe that
motorcycle-only checkpoints are an efficient use of limited safety
funds. For fiscal 2014, the NHTSA was appropriated only $235 million to
implement Title 26 § 402 safety programs that cover 3.9 million miles of
road.
That money could be spent more effectively on campaigns to
educate other motorists about interacting with motorcyclists on our
roadways.
In 2007 when the practice of motorcycle-only checkpoints
began, the state of New York conducted a motorcycle-only checkpoint in
which 104 traffic citations were issued. However, this checkpoint
included officers from four police departments, a police helicopter, a
dedicated “chase” car, additional highway signage and investigators from
the state Special Investigations Unit.
Surely these resources
could have been more effectively employed in a different manner to make
our nation’s roads quantifiably safer.
Some of the recent increase
in motorcycle fatalities can be attributed to increasing numbers of
distracted drivers. A common phrase uttered after a driver hits a
motorcyclist is, “I just didn’t see the motorcycle.” And no one can deny
that, as cell phones and vehicle entertainment systems have
proliferated, car, SUV and truck drivers are increasingly distracted,
toggling between radio stations, checking the GPS and texting with
friends.
The AMA would like for section 402 funds to be spent to
enforce distracted-driving laws and to educate all operators about the
dangers of distracted driving.
The AMA does not oppose checkpoints
for all motorists. However, a checkpoint should be conducted in a
manner that does not discriminate against a class of legal,
non-commercial transportation. Furthermore, all checkpoints should show
demonstrable results.
A universal checkpoint could undoubtedly check for unlicensed operators and drivers not wearing a seatbelt in cars.
If the goal is to truly make the roads safer, let’s focus on everyone and not just motorcyclists.
We
urge the NHTSA to create safety programs that have positive,
quantifiable impacts on making the roads safer for all operators.
Allard
represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate from 1997 to 2009, and
Colorado's 4th Congressional District in the House from 1991 to 1997. He
currently works for the Livingston Group, a Washington, D.C. lobbying
firm and serves as vice president for government relations for the
American Motorcyclist Association.
