MC only check points

[fudgie]

Another reason not to visit NY.

Document Actions NHTSA offers grant to fund motorcycle-only checkpoints
by Peter Gantriis — last modified Thursday, Sep. 23, 2010
Initially begun in New York State, the process involves setting-up checkpoints where only motorcycles are pulled over. Law enforcement officers then check for U.S. DOT-compliant helmets, legal exhaust systems, and compliance with licensing, registration and inspection regulations.


American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)


The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is offering federal funds that would expand the highly criticized practice of creating motorcycle-only checkpoints by law enforcement agencies.

Initially begun in New York State, the process involves setting-up checkpoints where only motorcycles are pulled over. Law enforcement officers then check for U.S. DOT-compliant helmets, legal exhaust systems, and compliance with licensing, registration and inspection regulations. The NHTSA program would also collect information on high-motorcycle-crash-incident areas and citations would be issued for any violations discovered.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has questioned the potential discriminatory and legal nature of this program and submitted a list of questions for clarification to the New York State Police. To date, New York authorities have not responded. The AMA has also sent a letter to Administrator Strickland urging him to suspend the grant program until questions have been addressed. To view AMA's letter, click here.

While law enforcement officials in New York defend the program as a safety measure to decrease motorcycle crashes, injuries and fatalities, there is no proof of its effectiveness. The practice has drawn the ire of motorcyclists both locally and nationally.

NHTSA is now seeking up to five other law enforcement agencies to participate in this practice and is offering $350,000 in federal funding.

The AMA believes public funding would better serve motorcyclists by applying it to the national motorcycle crash causation study that is currently underway. The primary source of motorcycle safety is in motorcycle crash prevention and NHTSA should focus on decreasing the likelihood of crashes in the first place. This is a sentiment supported by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and many of his colleagues in Congress through recently introduced H. Res. 1498. To urge your Representative to support this resolution, click here. The methods used in New York State remain highly suspect and no public money should be applied to promoting such a program without addressing questions from the motorcycling community.

Specifically, how do motorcycle-only safety checkpoints (MOSCs) increase the safety of motorcyclists? Where do the selected states draw their authority to conduct MOSCs? Will "probable cause" be required to stop a motorcycle under the terms of this grant program? If so, what will constitute "probable cause?" What types of infractions were recorded by New York law enforcement officials at these checkpoints ? And, what criteria will be used to determine if the MOSCs are successful?

The AMA urges all riders to contact Administrator Strickland and request the grant offer be suspended until these questions have been addressed. Follow the "Take Action" option to send a pre-written e-mail directly to Administrator Strickland demanding no federal dollars be used to expand programs that discriminate against motorcyclists

[czuch]

Oh GREAT.
No salt, No fries, No burgers, No soda, No buffet, No,No,No,No,No,No!!!!!!
No Naw Yawk!!!

[Oss]

Checkpoints should be for everyone but I dont object to the MC ones if they also crack down on folks on their cell phones but I aint holdin my breath

There has been a checkpoint on Route 301 in Fahnstock State Park for a while maybe a few years now

I am sure it has saved lives but even with the checkpoint almost every week I see some a hole has wrecked head on into someone or rode WAY off the road due to high speed on that road.   Most bikes I see are going WAY over the limit and its just stupid IMHO.  

Now I am against these radar traps like on the dragon but making sure a bike is street legal, registration insurance hurts nobody and you are thru in a few seconds

Of course having the NYPD 9-11 sticker dont hurt and I get waved thru most of the time

The average time I lose is  3 seconds when they see the inspection and registration is current.  They are really lookin for hot bikes and illegal ones.

Come on up to NY and ride, we have 4 seasons, not just Hot, Broil and Incinerate like in Az

[fuzzy2bucks]

Government has gone bezerk with this overkill!  Next a bicycle checkpoint, then there will be a Tricycle Checkpoint with gun toteing government enforcers.      . . . droid X

[fudgie]

Some of the other post from where i got this stated that they were targeting MC in Mayland on their way to Delmarve (sp) bike week. They let MD ABATE know about it and they are going back to DBW. They were pulling over them to check for non DOT helmets. To me that is ilegal. Thats like getting pulled over just to check to see if you have a drivers lic.

[Challenger]

I got stopped at two safety checks last year in Il. They call them safety check points, but all they did was check my drivers lic, insurance card & plate sticker, I don't see how that has anything to do with safety, but I passed and went on my way. many bikes did not. Can you say (revenue recovery) 

[Popeye]

This is the reason I joined AMA, so they will fight this crap.

Popeye

[dipstick]

And THAT is why I love New York.

[sandy]

Come on up to NY and ride, we have 4 seasons, not just Hot, Broil and Incinerate like in Az

Now OSS: We have 4 seasons like evryone else. There's Post summer: Opposite summer: Pre summer: and SUMMER!!

[Oss]

which season will it be when I get there Oct 9th?

[Dogg]

most of my friends whocame down for bikeweek did not run into any checkpoints. the MSP had radar every 1/4 mile tho. and if your helmet looked to be novelty, they pulled you over. its easy to spot a skullcap with 300 stickers on it.....

Md ABATE was pissed about the checkpoints in MD, and because of it, some chapters posted routes around them. It is stupid for NY(EVEN them, I know) To put something like this up but, I plan of taking the scenic route anywhere I go to avoid the hassle. or just not ride in NY.