Hi Friends,
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 2014
Last year was a good year. We had fewer fatalities than in the previous three years. 2013 = 133
2012 = 163
2011 = 166
2010 = 168
We are going in the correct direction and need the number to go even lower. Keep up the good work. Keep talking to your fellow riders, family and friends about Motorcycle Awareness. When the snow finally goes away you may need a new sign. Make sure you always have one in your yard. If you find a bike shop, leather shop or accessory shop that wants to sell them on consignment, have them contact me to set it up. Alcohol is one of our safety problems. I love a beer with the best of them, but with the number of bikes and cars and trucks and SUVs on the road today, we need to be alert and not distracted. Last year we dropped down to 19.44% alcohol related fatalities and serious injuries. This is down from 50%! We need to stay on this and it will help us reach our end goal of less fatalities. At the seminar I showed the 3Rs Program. The 3 Rs are to BE RESPONSIBLE, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY and RIDE RESPONSIBLE. I know I’m like a broken record but we need to stay after it (IT IS IMPORTANT). Don’t let a friend ride impaired. It may be the time of year that your insurance is due for renewal. A wise man told me that if you don’t check your policy and price check it every year that you are paying too much. There are many good companies out there and you need to find one that is in your budget and offers the coverage you want. It is expensive to go to the hospital, so don’t take the minimum coverage. Upgrade to make sure you and anyone riding with you are covered.
worst can come from it. Talk to everyone you know about the hazards, especially younger drivers. Plan a riding trip in our great State of Ohio. We do have some of the best roads in the nation. You may even see a friend. Ride Within Your Limits, Mike Stock State Safety & Education Director ABATE of Ohio, Inc. State Safety and Education Director mikestock419@gmail.com _____________________________________________________
I would like to thank everyone that attended, lead a session, sponsored a meal, provided auction items, purchased and/ or bid on auction items at the ABATE of Ohio Seminar. I would also like to thank Robin Pickens. She did most of the organizing for this event. If you missed it, you missed a lot of fun before and after the sessions. You also missed out on a Seems like every magazine I pick up has something about BUNCH of great info. sound. We need to be looking at how we can make AJ Public Our Road Guarding Bill has been introduced in the Ohio happy. Most of the time, we can help by not overdoing the House of Representatives. It is HB 406. This bill sets up a throttle in residential areas. Remember, some people don’t like state ran training program and certification process to train to be impressed. I have a friend that is still running straight civilians to Road Guard. Some people refer to road guarding pipes. We have been talking tuned system with mufflers and as blocking traffic. After successful completion of a class a more horsepower. “Good Boy” And yes, we will be around person will be certified to block an intersection during a group again with the sound meter this summer. ride. Currently this activity is illegal. This bill will make it legal Motorcycle Awareness Rally 2014: It’s coming together in a big way and can’t come fast enough for me. Everyone needs to get out and get a Proclamation from your local town declaring May as Motorcycle Awareness Month and it will be read on the steps of the State Capital. I have samples and a great cover letter you can use if you would like to make a contribution. You don’t need to be a Director to get this done, everyone can help. The After Rally Party will be at Flanagan’s Tavern in Blacklick, OH. It is on the Northeast fringe of Columbus. There is a big parking lot, food and entertainment. Distracted driving is going to be the death of me! When you see a Mother with a carload of kids texting, nothing but the Thunder Roads® Magazine OHIO
for certified road guards to block traffic.
ABATE of Ohio’s mission statement indicates we are dedicated to improving safety practices. This bill does exactly that. I urge everyone to contact your representative in the Ohio House of Representatives and ask them to support this bill. Until next month, Scott “Woody” Wood Government Relations Director ABATE of Ohio, Inc.
ThunderRoadsOhio.com
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