News Bytes
VEHICLE DATA PRIVACY CONCERNS
VOICED IN MONTANA
A Montana House panel recently heard a bill to give vehicle
owners more control over the large stores of information now
accumulated by newer cars and trucks, and motorcycles.
House Bill 78, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Lynch (D-Butte), would
give vehicle owners more control of that data by codifying
provisions stating that only owners, lessees and authorized
representatives can gain access to recorded data in the event
of a crash.
Insurance companies already make use of telemetrics -- the
many pieces of data that reflect driving habits -- but insurance
lobbyists say they’re willing to sit down with supporters and
hammer out a bill that’s agreeable to everyone.
This is just one of several privacy bills the Montana Legislature
will consider this session and, if enacted, the law would
become the nation’s strongest driver-privacy act.
senators in the new 114th Congress. The bill would prohibit
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from
issuing grants to states to fund motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Sponsoring senators say such roadblocks are discriminatory,
where riders are specifically targeted by police to check that
their vehicles meet state standards for noise, handlebar
height, tire condition and other requirements, including
helmet compliance.
The states of California, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina,
Illinois, New Hampshire and Virginia have all passed legislation
to prohibit motorcycle-only checkpoints.
MOTORCYCLE INJURIES &
FATALITIES ON DECLINE
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
has announced that motorcycle fatalities have dropped for
the second year in a row, representing the largest drop in
fatalities for any road user. According to the Fatality Analysis
Reporting System, motorcycle fatalities for 2013 dropped
from 4,986 to 4,668; and the 6.4% decrease was the largest
percentage drop of all vehicle categories.
Fatal motorcycle crashes involving alcohol dropped by 117
deaths, or 8.3%, also the largest decrease in the category.
NHTSA also reported a drop in the number of injured
motorcyclists from 93,000 to 88,000, a 5.4% drop, again the
largest decrease in the category.
Motor vehicle fatalities overall decreased by 3.1% from 20122013 and injuries declined 2.1%.
WEIRD NEWS: YOUTUBE VIDEO LEADS TO STUNT
RIDER ARREST
A cop couldn’t corral dozens of reckless riders who took
over a California highway, performing dangerous stunts and
taunting the officer, but the marauders left an obvious trail on
social media.
One stunter, armed with cameras mounted on the front of
his motorcycle and helmet, filmed what turned out to be
incriminating evidence that later led to his arrest.
The video, posted to YouTube and garnering over 1.5 million
views, shows several brazen bikers popping high speed
wheelies and buzzing a California Highway Patrolman, who is
also on a motorcycle and attempting to pull over one or more
riders before giving up due to safety concerns. As the officer
backs off, bikers are seen exuberantly pumping their fists in
the air in a short-lived victory celebration.
Three weeks later, following an internet trail including personal
information posted in social forums, police busted the 32-year
old stunt rider who recorded -- and shared -- video of the wild
ride and arrested him at his house in Brentwood on felony
accessory and obstruction charges, as well as a marijuana
grow operation in his home.
FEDERAL LEGISLATION REINTRODUCED TO CURB
MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS
Motorcycle-only checkpoints would be discouraged under a
bipartisan bill reintroduced January 8, 2015 by a group of
QUOTABLE QUOTE:
“The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official
policy, but a love of one’s country deep enough to call her to
a higher plain.” George McGovern (1922 - 2012)
American politician, historian & author
www.thunderroadscolorado.com
February 2015
Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 31