What Would You Like To See Troopers Do More Of? (Motorcycle Related Enforcement)

[Chris]

I haven't had many run-ins with LEO's, but it always surprises me how many people drink and ride, especialy at big ralleys. It's hard enogh to stay focused in traffic and at speed. I can't imagine how people bar hop on their bikes.

For that reason I avoid the big rides

[Tumbler]

100% ban on cell phone use while driving, and that includes "hands-free" devices. Every study I've seen concludes that even hands-free cell phone usage impairs a driver as much as alcohol impairment.

I agree 100% on this one.  If I had a penny for every time I've almost been ran off the road by someone in a cage with a cell phone glued to their head I'd be a millionaire!!  Its the conversation that distracts the drive...not holding the phone to their ear.  I encourage people to talk to their government officials to make this happen!!

I would also like to see more enforcement of endorsement, insurance, under 18 helmet law, dui and noise laws.

I would have to agree with all those as well Ray.  I think you hit on all the ones I would have.  I also agree on the fleeing bikes deal too.  With all the technology LEO's have these days, there isn't much excuse for getting involved in a high speed chase.  Afterall....you're never faster than Motorola!!

Well?  Just got word that we don't qualify for the grant.
Minnesota does NOT allow vehicle checkpoints... and it's a requirement in implementing these initiatives.
Not gonna happen.  Sorry, folks.

I would appreciate some further input from you all, however.
I can still bring up some points of discussion.

That sucks Vander.  I was curious to see where this could go!!

[Tumbler]

Good point Lloyd.  I've been limiting the use of it like that to when I'm stopped or by myself with no one around.  You are absolutely right...if I'm going to say ban cell phone use then I better make an effort myself to not do it.

We're all guilty of it...but if we work on limiting it, I'm sure that would help at least a little.

[Cam]

Do I think the current state of training to ride/drive and get your liscense is adequate-nope

To me, this statement is at the root of all the negative aspects involved in driving.  It is far too easy to get a license, and as a result the average driver/rider does not take anywhere near the responsibility they should when operating a vehicle.  I would like to see more rigorous driver/rider training and more stringent testing both to obtain and to keep a license.  Unfortunately, the amount of money involved to implement anything like that would make it prohibitive, not to mention the uproar from the general public if anyone were to suggest they might actually have to put some effort and responsibility into getting a license.

[Cam]

Another thing I would like to see is since cops say that they give tickets to slow traffic down, IMO they should have there lights on when they are running radar on the side of the road and they should always have there radar on when driving around and not turn in it off and on like they do and should not use Laser, it only purpose IMO is to catch speeders.

I've wondered about this too.  When people know there is a police officer nearby, they always slow down and in general become much more attentive drivers.  If the goal of law enforcement truly is to get everyone to drive slower (nearer the speed limit), why do they hide in the weeds and drive unmarked cars?

[Jared]

This reminded me of something I read a few weeks ago:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/May/100530protectandserv.htm
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/May/100530allovernothing.htm

Sounds like a similar grant type program that didn't go as planned.  Even though this type of targeted "education" can start off with good intentions, there's no one to check how the police actually execute the program. 

[PKPK]

I'd imagine cruisers are virtually never involved in flight from traffic stops, so officers might be tighter on enforcement of non-cruisers hoping to catch someone. If I were a LEO and not particularly knowledgeable about bikes and had sportbikes running on me often, I might be pulling more non-cruisers over too. Tough for them to tell the difference between a sportbike, standard or sport tourer.

Maybe we should ask some LEOs if they perceive that one type of bike is more likely to run than the other. I'd bet they'd say they expect sportbike riders to run, but not cruiser, adventure or touring bike riders.

This has nothing to do with running away.  This is about cops selectively targeting the one who appears they will be speeding later.  But my point really is that a cruiser coming out of a bar parking lot would potentially be more dangerous than a sport rider leaving a gas station.  I won't get into a pissing match over the reasons for it, just making a point that cops pretty much profile bikes for targeting speeders simply by appearance.


Oh, and Ray, yes, you deserve to have a squad glued to your ass every mile on your ride.   

[Ray916MN]

Just what we need, more f*cking laws, that aren't or won't be enforced- and the times they are its strictly the cops biased spur of the moment decision to do so.

I'd expect the reason why Vander is being asked for the motorcycling community's perspective on what laws they would like to see enforced on motorcycles is to try to partner with the motorcycling community on enforcement. Law enforcement as best I can tell does not want more laws they can't enforce.

By partnering with the community on enforcement, they hope to get peer pressure and awareness in the motorcycling community of the need to not break these laws. With respect to peer pressure, in the motorcycling community this should be the most effective deterrent, self policing.

For example, if everyone in the community agrees that people who runs are asshats, anyone who does this crap gets rash of shit for doing it, this will probably have a greater impact and be more cost effective in reducing the number of people who run, than spending money on more enforcement.

This perspective is a close cousin with getting people to drive better overall in my opinion. While driver/rider skills maybe an issue, I believe driver/rider attitudes are an equal if not more important issue. For example, I doubt there is any driver/rider on the road today who does not know how to use their turn signal or when they should use their turn signal. The lack of appropriate turn signal use simply reflects the attitude that this is not an important enough thing to be worth doing in accordance with the law. Many drivers/riders simply do not take the act of driving/riding seriously enough.

Even worse than this in my opinion is the rise in what I think reflects self centered entitlement. Increasingly I find when I'm riding or driving a small vehicle, more and more operators of larger vehicles have no problem with forcing me to yield to them in traffic. Probably three times a year I have a vehicle in move into my lane while they know I'm right next to them so they can make an exit or avoid congestion. More and more people seem to have the attitude that they not only don't need to signal turns, but they are entitled to be wherever they want on the roadway due to their affluence, the size of their vehicle or situation. Their needs take precedence over the needs/rights of all others.

Overall, a loss of civility, and personal ownership and responsibility for what happens in their community and society in general. A loss of respect for others.

[Ray916MN]

Oh, and Ray, yes, you deserve to have a squad glued to your ass every mile on your ride.  

I think a police escort would be really nice!

[Vander]

I'd expect the reason why Vander is being asked for the motorcycling community's perspective on what laws they would like to see enforced on motorcycles is to try to partner with the motorcycling community on enforcement. Law enforcement as best I can tell does not want more laws they can't enforce.

Yep!  Exactly, Ray... well said on the rest of the post too.

And to re-iterate, the more involved the motorcycle community is in partnering with LE, the more we understand each other.  LEOs do things for a certain reason just as a biker does... I have been asked a few times "why do you bikers..." many times from LE freinds.  Once it is explained, they have a better understanding of our culture, and may be more inclined to help, rather than just write the ticket.... let's hope, at least.

[tk]

I would like to see them put more effort into reducing the number of riders seriously impaied by alcohol. But only if they can do this without inconviencing
the totally sober riders.

No to checkpoints.

[rochambo]

The officers should not pursue fleeing
motorcyclists if the offense is only a
motorvehicle violation. Don't endanger
the general public by pursuing a
bike that was only speeding. Now
if the motorcyclist is suspected of
a bank robbery or homicide then
pursue.

They do need to crack down on
intoxicated motorcyclists.

I'm not offended by loud pipes. I always
wear earplugs and I ride a BMW and BMW
owners seldom change the stock exhaust
system.

[KoopaTroopa]

This post really shows how heated this subject can get. I agree totally that driver/motorcycle training is not good enough. I blew through mine no problem. It wasn't until I started riding with others that knew what they were doing, before I became a better rider. When I was a teenager, my mom took me out to a parking lot every day and made me log so many hours before I even got to begin the drivers training. I believe it helped make me a better driver because of it.

Until the law can find a better way of educating people, it's up to us to show new people how to be better riders/drivers. New laws only make people find new ways to get around them. You tell a toddler he can't do something, he'll just do it when your not looking. But if you make him understand why not, he'll be more likely to listen.

[KoopaTroopa]

NAY! I was comparing new riders to toddlers, and... no wait, yes your like a toddler.

[rddau]

Enforce tail gaiting laws. I either have to speed, change direction, or pull over to let them pass. On a bike, I am at their mercy. If I try to leave room ahead of me on the freeway, someone will pull in. If I'm on a two lane with heavy traffic, my only real choice is to pull over and let the buttholes by.   If I'm in my F350, I can tap the brakes, but not on the bike.