Wheelies at speed on highways

RetroRiceRocketRider wrote:

...It's really rather simple, sometimes stupid/reckless people simply haved to be saved from themselves (and from harming the rest of us)...

Perhaps.
But who will decide *what* is stupid/reckless?
And who will protect us from the protectors, if not ourselves?

Biquetoast wrote:

RetroRiceRocketRider wrote:

...It's really rather simple, sometimes stupid/reckless people simply haved to be saved from themselves (and from harming the rest of us)...

Perhaps.
But who will decide *what* is stupid/reckless?
And who will protect us from the protectors, if not ourselves?

Touche'. :pinch:

So here's MY take on it:

I'm sure I don't need to point it out, but just because a law/bill is proposed doesn't guarantee that it will be passed. It must eventually be voted on.
But being the realist that I am, and going with the fact that there have been so many complaints by the non-motorcycle riding public (the majority) against motorcycle riders in general (the minority), IMO it's pretty much a no-brainer that this will be passed to law if/when it reaches the voting stage.

The Congressman, Senators, etc. who pen these laws/bills are paid through our tax dollars.
So basically, WE are giving THEM the right to decide (albeit initially) to decide *what* is stupid/reckless.
And given the ever-growing idiology of a large portion of U.S. citizens, we do whatever suits our needs/desires as long as we can get away with it (ie: it's not illegal if I don't get caught:whistle:).
So in a nutshell, sometimes things reach a point where we as a people simply can't regulate our own actions, and therefore need to have it done for us.
We have no one to blame but ourselves for it either.

This is simply my opinion on this, and I know that not everyone will agree with it.
And my opinion is no more valid than yours or anyone elses.

At least we all still have our freedom of speech (for the most part anyway:dry:) and can discuss issues like this rationally and maturely, right?

The sponsor of the bill is currently working on language that will amend the bill to address the problem of motorcycle stunt riding on public roads.

This is what the bill was supposed to do, but obviously "reckless driving" leaves alot to interpretation. The last I read the revised bill will include motorcycle riders have to keep both wheels on the road and one leg on each side of the bike.

I grew up in New York, currently live in Jersey. I believe the laws in both these states is twice the speed limit you lose your bike, your license and your freedom..
As for stunts, wheelies, etc, i forget the exact wording, but it was/is something like "illegal display of power".. ( got caught doing a burnout), and this was probably 20 years ago..
I agree with the opinion that lawsa are enacted to protect the public, but in reality, the only one thats gonna get hurt is the guy who ends up sliding across the pavement.. Kinda like the seatbelt law, the only one thats gonna get hurt by me not wearing it is me, so leave me the hell alone..
Reality, if a cop sees someone pulling a wheelie at 120, that guys gonna get pulled over, new law or not, and it is at least a reckless/careless driving, (4points), hefty speeding fines, (also 4 points or more). Speed limit is 65 on most of the major highways these days, so you would have to be doing 130 to be doing double, but very possible these days..

If his peers, would just knock him off is bike and beat him to a pulp with the front forks like they should, we wouldn't need this discussion.

Socialism is the perfect government for lazies who won't protect their own freedoms both by resisting outside government and also by self governing.

Dont' know about the only one getting hurt. How about the soccer mom in the minivan full of kids looking to her side or in the rearview only to see some biker approaching doing a wheelie. Or when he does slide what will he slide into? A 500 lb machine sliding down the road at 50 or 60 mph does make for quite a weapon. Then there is the example set that will make others do it. Not to mention the family of the numbskull that dies doing it. I am all for culling the herd. Helmet is your choice but we can even think of senarios where this could be dangerous to others. Operating to endanger is a bit more serious. I would think if caught most states would have laws already on the books and good for them. I'm not sure what I would to if someone screwing off caused any of my family to get hurt or worse get killed for a laugh. I am also glad there are laws that make some chose not to do those things. It also might save me from terrible loss and the need to hunt someone down. On another note I think it should be easier to get places to get your freak on. Stunt parks, tracks etc. where it can be made as safe as possible but I bet the insurance companies have something to do with that. I'm up to 4 cents..my budget is blown.

I could be wrong, but I suspect every state has laws regarding speeding/reckless driving that provide for a penalty of losing your license to drive (I know MD does). Further, I suspect every state has laws with penalties of jail time for driving without a license. So if a person gets caught driving like an idiot once or twice and loses his license he can be sent to jail if he is caught driving without the license. This doesn't give the state the power to take the person's personal property (and in my view the state should NOT have that power) but it does give the state the power to take the person's liberty for endangering others (a power every state already has). Bottom line: new laws are not necessary to curb this behavior when enforcement of current laws would have the same effect. Ed

120+ mph wheelie, sounds crazy don't it. In South Dakota if ur bike is capable of that, the cops would sure have a hell of a time catching you. Speaking from the stand point of being an 18 year old with a motorcycle, you often feel the urge to open it up a bit. I'me sure most of you remember this, or still get the urge, but this can be accomplished without endangering yourself, or others. Everybody should know your limits and stick to them, and nobodys limit is a 120mph wheelie on a well traveled highway, thats just stupidity. I often do a few good pulls, but nothing crazy, and its something i feel comfortable doing without pushing myself.

Ed's Right,

I believe that reckless driving or something very nearly identical to it is a punishable offense everywhere that I know about. If they charge you with reckless driving or reckless endangerment and you continue to flaunt traffic regs their gonna take your bike or car, even with the existing laws.

We've got plenty O rules. We should try enforcing them rather than trying to find the punishment whose very contemplation makes a sinner into a saint. It's El Dorado, a place we'll never get to. In the mean time we already have the tools to make such behavior self extinguishing all we have to do is enforce them.

At least I think so.

kzcsi

The original post was that someone was sponsoring a law in Fla to raise the stakes on dangerous driving. It was then stated that we have enough laws. Then some said they thought everyone already has such a law and they were good. Evidently, Fla did NOT have this law or is it a position that they are passing duplicate laws? I may be not following this correctly. Is the point here that Fla should not pass this law or they should? :blink:

most staes do have laws, certian speeds or reckless driving, you can be taken to jail.

Most of these idiots doing these stunts dont have a motorcycle lic. to start with so thats not going to change anything.

No I dont think another law is going to do anything, enforce the ones you have, peroid....


an exapmle of stupid laws, in Texas, you can get a ticket and 60.00 fine for having one of those frames around your plate. total BS law just like the one being propsed

Locozuna wrote:

The original post was that someone was sponsoring a law in Fla to raise the stakes on dangerous driving. It was then stated that we have enough laws. Then some said they thought everyone already has such a law and they were good. Evidently, Fla did NOT have this law or is it a position that they are passing duplicate laws? I may be not following this correctly. Is the point here that Fla should not pass this law or they should? :blink:

Loco:
You have a good point, and since you're up to six now, I guess I'll match and try to seriously address it.

I would infer simply by common sense that Fla. does have a reckless endangerment law on the books and this bill is proposed to simply add language to that effect which speaks specifically to the reckless behavior of some motorcyclists, removing any need of interpretation by a judge. If this is the case, the proposed new bill is redundant and therefore unneccssary. There are few if any judges who would not interpret reckless endangerment to include 120+ wheelies. It should not be passed.

If that inference is wrong, Fla. has no wreckless endangerment laws. In that case this bill only addresses very specific examples of wreckless behavior on a motorcycle, and is VERY far short of addressing a much bigger problem as it does not say anything about any other form of motor vehicle or even other types of behavior such as riding with passengers too small for safety. It is far short sighted. It should not be passed.

As far as several have mentioned siezing property. This is my view: (not worth that much)
My interpretation of most states' actions is that

1. Citizens purchase license to Operate vehicles on Government owned roads according to Government policies. This is fair enough. I you don't like the state traffic laws you have the option to drive only on private property where they do not apply.

2. Citizens purchase license to POSSESS state owned property such and vehicles and guns. That's a bunch of crock! But it is the only way a Government entity can lawfully sieze property from a citizen. (not a felon, who has forfieted rights as a citizen) Citizens are protected against unlawful search and siezure. (supposedly)

I may sound like a big windbag here, but seriously we are quickly and willingly selling our rights to freedom from an oppressive government because we are unwilling to fulfill our responsibilities of self government. (If it's not illegal, then it's okay.) If we ask our state or federal government to take care of the poor, take care of the criminals, insure our financials (eg. farm subsidies, control price of gas, etc.), the only way such a large body of people can be governed by such a few people is to take away individual freedoms from the government to that all may be equally governed. This is not a new thing, it is long in coming, and most of us are happy with and rely on our government to control our neighbors and largely provide for us!



Today is the time to begin to live as if we do not want to be nor are oppressed. If you know someone who drives wrecklessly, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to INDIVIDUALLY do something about that person! (end rant)