Lake Murray 2022 Polar Bear Plunge With ABATE CWC & TuTu's

The Lake Murray Polar Plunge is an annual event held by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run campaign. 100% of the funds raised, directly benefit The Special Olympics Programs around our state of South Carolina!! Danika Olafson, Treasurer of CWC ABATE, is a Special Education teacher at White Knoll Elementary School. Saturday, February 12th,2022, her ABATE Chapter teamed up with her AGAIN to support her and the Lake Murray Polar Plunge! For 3 years; CWC ABATE, not only donated money...but SOME have actually taken the PLUNGE! Yes, you read that right!! These fun loving, “Motorcycle Rights” Activist, who are “hairy bikers” with tattoos; dressed in TuTu’s!! Why?? Because they are the CWC chapter - (Cayce West Columbia) and I quote them as saying: "Cause We Can!!" And boy, did they!!!

With ABATE CWC's support for Danika, and her school, half of the money raised that day, went directly back to White Knoll’s Special Olympics team. The money will help pay for, year-round inclusive activities, as well as, the game expenses.

At The Statehouse: As of this writing the Hands Free bill S248 is being debated in the Senate. Hopefully, while you are reading this it has passed the Senate and will be making its way the House of Representatives. I will tell you right now, if you want to have the most current information, make sure you are part of the Legislative Alerts email list. Just send me an email saying you want to be added. helmet_laws_suck@msn.com The Big Debate: The common comments from our legislators during the debates and many others is “How can I still use my phone while I am driving if this passes?” as if this is the top priority for getting from point A to point B. Now I am not saying I hadn’t been one of those in the past but we have to face reality that driving a car is about driving a car. It’s even worse to think that someone riding a motorcycle wants to use his phone while driving. Not that I hadn’t done this also but it didn’t take me long to figure out that was just stupid. So when someone wants to debate you about using a phone while driving, remind them that driving is about driving!

The Hidden Debate: During the debate on February 16th one of the Senators suggested to have any Hands Free violation inadmissible as is currently if you are involved in a collision and you are not wearing a seatbelt. While this is not apples to oranges, it scratches the surface for why Hands Free legislation is also important. You see, if a person is involved in a collision and is unlawfully using their cell phone this would add negligence on their part, which we currently do not have. This was a suggestion at the time of this writing and was not amended. There are some groups pushing to get the seat belt violation gag order removed and below are some of their talking points, we do not want this inadmissible language in any Hands Free legislation.

Allow Non-Use of Seatbelts Be Admissible – Let the Jury Know, and Decide

• The current provisions of South Carolina that insulate people from financial consequences of failing to wear a seat belt should be repealed. The trial judge should be able to determine what and how evidence should be used in a civil trial on a case-by-case basis. • The jury should be able to know this, whether they apply it to mitigate damages or not. “Let the jury decide.” • No other motor vehicle code violation is exempt from admissibility as evidence. All conduct is relevant, especially when one does not take the common-sense precautions to protect oneself or others by not wearing a seat belt. • This “gag order” is likely in violation of equal protection, and therefore Unconstitutional.

Ralph Bell, Reb Richardson

Legislative Coordinator

Assistant Legislative Coordinator (803) 556-2354 (803) 491-5145 E-mail helmet_laws_suck@msn.com Email reb@truvista.net