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ABATE of Georgia District 2 Home Member Benefits Legislative News Activities Links Pictures For Sale Services GBNF Contact Us
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Legislation News
May 4, 2008 1. The two bills that we were working on, the red light bill HB-726 and SB-446 and the Freedom Of Choice bills HB-356 and SB-409 which we were working on the Senate side to get them moving this year failed to get out of committees. So they will need to be reintroduced next year.
2. We were working on more teeth to the (ROW) bill SB-438. It also failed to get out of rules committee and should go through fairly easy next year,. Please take the time to thank Senator Jeff Mullis for his support for GA motorcyclist.
3. House bill HB-950 passed in the house and Senate bill SB-437 passed in the Senate and is now waiting on Sonny's signature.
4. The Signs over the interstates that I got put up last year are back and will be up for the next two weeks.
April 5, 2008 1. The two bills that we were working on, the red light bill HB-726 and SB-446 and the Freedom Of Choice bills HB-356 and SB-409 which we were working on the Senate side to get them moving this year failed to get out of committees. So they will need to be reintroduced next year.2. We were working on more teeth to the (ROW) bill SB-438. It also failed to get out of rules committee and should go through fairly easy next year,. Please take the time to thank Senator Jeff Mullis for his support for GA motorcyclist.3. House bill HB-950 passed in the house and Senate bill SB-437 passed in the Senate and is now waiting on Sonny'ssignature. 4. I was not able to attend the April meeting so if you need any more information please contact me.
March 2, 2008 1. Update on Richard’s Case. Richard is still continuing his fight in the civil case. No new news at this time. 2. The two bills that we are working on are the red light bills HB-726 and SB-446 the Freedom Of Choice bills HB-356 and SB-409 which we are working on the Senate side to get them moving. 3. How many of you know your STATE Senators and Representatives and your local Senators and Representatives for Georgia? For the ones that gave me your 9-digit zip code I have your reps and I have letters to sign and if you don’t know who they are I have a letter for you to send also. We sent close to 30 letters from the meeting today 4. We are working on introducing more teeth to the (ROW) bill SB-438. And on 2/28 we were at the Capital and got a do pass, and with some minor language changes will go to rules committee next. Please take the time to thank Senator Jeff Mullis for his support for GA motorcyclist 5. The State of Georgia has begun to reject Tags and Tittles for private built motorcycles. This is NOT a law yet and ABATE and Full Throttle have taken up the fight to get this proposal in prospective. House bill HB-950 passed in the house already, and has it’s first reading in the Senate as SB-437, Thanks to the great showing at the Capital on the 12th. 6. Tuesday, February 12th –Ride to the Capital. A big Thanks! to Michael West, Allan Lundquist, Dave Trent, Walter Wade, Basel Fowler, Richard Malcolm and (Terry Dodd that showed up to see us off.) Some of us actually got a private tour of the Governor’s office. There were 400 plus bikes and we managed to shut down Washington Street for the first time in 4 years. 7. Remember--North Carolina’s law concerning “Novelty Helmets” went into effect January 1, 2008 at 100.00 (25.00 fine 75.00 court cost) for operator and 10.00 for passenger no cost if you win in court. Make sure you take a DOT helmet or they may confiscate your bike.
February 3, 2008
January 6, 2008
2. How many of you know your STATE Senators and Representatives and your local Senators and Representatives for Georgia? Go to www.Congress.org, enter your zip code and look up your STATE Representatives and Senators. 3. The two bills that are already in the works for January 14th 2008 are The red light bill HB-726 and the Freedom Of Choice bill HB-356 which we will also introduce on the Senate side in 2008. We plan on introducing more teeth to the (ROW) bill also. By next month I will have updates on the progress of theses bills and any others we get introduced. 4. The State of Georgia has begun to reject Tags and Tittles for private built motorcycles. 5. North Carolina’s law concerning “Novelty Helmets” went into effect January 1, 2008 at 100.00 (25.00 fine 75.00 court cost) for operator and 10.00 for passenger no cost if you win in court. Is Georgia next? Start thinking about getting involved in this year’s fight for our rights.
December 2, 2007 1. Update on Richard’s Case. Richard attended the Grand Jury on November 16th and got 12 counts against the driver that caused him to lose his leg and 4 of the 12 counts are felony charges. The 1st court date is set for 9:00am at the Lumpkin County Court House on Tuesday, December, 18, 2007. 2. The helmet law in NC was challenged last Monday and a motorcyclist won the case. I have in my possession a copy of the document that made that case a winner and will be using it in our fight for “Freedom Of Choice” next year. 3. I passed out the yearly “Turtle’s Tips” summary for 2007. Please make copies and pass these out to friends and family as this is one thing we should all be doing by being members of American Bikers Active Towards Education 4. Start thinking about getting involved for next year’s fight for our rights. 5. Our new Sergeant of Arms, Gary Clark, has stepped up to volunteer to apply for a Lobbyist badge for the 2008 session along with me. That will make two Lobbyists from District 2! Turtle's Tips Yearly SummaryDecember 2, 2007 1. One of the big numbers, beyond the Right of Way deaths, are the biker's dying under the influence. This is a personal choice but should taken seriously as we all have someone who cares for us. 2. Slow down when approaching ANY intersection or side road and watch the front tires of any vehicles for movement and anticipate that they WILL pull out in front of you. 3. Whenever possible DO NOT ride next to any other vehicles. You and the other driver need to have an escape area. 4. Stay out of the "Blind Spot" of cagers and other bikers. Don't depend on the right-hand or rear view mirrors on cagers they tend to look out the left hand mirror more often and the right-hand mirrors usually have the objects are closer than appear lenses. And stay in the one of the mirrors of other bikers. This gives a better chance of the other motorist of knowing where you are. 5. When riding in a group of 2 or more, in staggered formation, the lead bike should always be on the left side of the lane. This is the position most capable of seeing ahead for slowing or stopping traffic and being seen by the cager. And it is the responsibility of the lead rider to alert the rest of the pack of these situations. 6. DO NOT follow to closely to anyone! We've all seen or heard of the stopping distance charts that rely on reaction time. Well as we get older our reaction time begins to slow with everything else. Now I'm not saying we need to drive like a bunch of grannies but make a mental note now because your memory is the next to go. 7. Check your bike's ABC's before every trip. (A)ir Pressures (B)rakes (C)ontrols and Lights 8. Watch out for the slick spots cause by the sealing tar used on road repairs. There is a national study by DOT on the material used and the width of these patches due to several motorcycle fatalities linked to these patches. 9. Learn the road singles that biker's use. A. Road debris on Left side = Point down with Left arm or leg. B. Road debris on Right side = Point down with Right leg only. Note: Taking hand off the throttle may slow the lead bikes, without brake lights causing a dangerous slow down for the pack. C. Lead rider sees traffic slowing = Waiving up and down to the side with Left arm. D. Narrow road ahead = Left hand one finger raised. (Pointer!) E. Open road ahead = Left hand two fingers raised. 10. Laying the bike down or not in an emergency? This is a tough choice and does not require thought it depends on instant decision. In a situation of a crash you sometime do not have time to think so you need to make this plan in your head every time you start your ride and basically stay constantly focused and run different scenarios though your mind of all situations you may encounter. 11. Check tire pressure now as the colder weather will cause air pressure to be lower. 12. Keep windshield as clean as possible or replace, due to sun glare at this time of year. 13. With fall here now it will be time soon to start watching for leaves especially after any rain event, as the leaves will be slick as ice. 14. Remember to watch out on back roads for the wash out of gravel driveways after a rain or tire spins. 15. This is the time of the year to watch out for “Long Shadows”. With the sun hitting the earth at sharper angle the shadows stretch across the roads and can make road hazards hard to see and the strobe effect can be disorientating. November 3, 2007
1.
Mary’s court case ended in freeing the murderous actions of Paula
Carter. No spoken or written words can make any sense of this miscarriage of
justice other than the fact that Paula Carter will have one more Day of
Judgment.
2.
Update on Richard’s Case. Richard stated that there should be some news
by the next meeting.
3.
The word is that Helen is planning, or has already placed signs asking
bikers to not over rev your bikes to keep the public from complaining.
And remember some towns in other states are beginning to pass laws to
force totally stock pipes, and in some cases there are laws already on the books
regarding tampering with exhaust systems.
Turtle’s Tips for
November
a.
Laying the bike down or not in an emergency? This is a tough choice and
does not require thought it depends on instant decision. In a situation of a
crash you sometime do not have time to think so you need to make this plan in
your head every time you start your ride and basically stay constantly focused
and run different scenarios though your mind of all situations you may
encounter.
b.
Check tire pressure now as the colder weather will cause air pressure to
be lower.
c.
Keep windshield as clean as possible or replace, due to sun glare at
this time of year.
Legislation News October 7, 2007 1. Mary’s court case information (Court Date: October 29 Monday 9:00am)
Directions to Franklin County Court House:
Take I-85 N {TO EXIT} 164 (GA-320, Carnesville) {TURN RIGHT} onto GA-320
{TURN
LEFT} onto GA-59 (Commerce Rd) {GO 0.9} You are at 9592 Lavonia Rd,
Carnesville, GA
30521-3253 2.
Update on Richard’s Case. Still pending 3.
NTSB has released a, first time ever; report that gives all states a
directive to implement a
Universal Helmet Law including NO more novelty helmets. This is after
investigating only 6
Motorcycle fatalities in their history. 4.
It has been reported that the last Cherokee Survivor’s rally had
roadblocks and were passing out fines of $100.00 for wearing Novelty Helmets.
Several members at the meeting verified this. 5.
A lot of cities in the country are implementing noise regulations on
motorcycles. 6.
With the pending Big Government’s ramp up of implementing more loss of
motorcycle freedom, now is time to get out of complacency and get active in our
fight and it is a fight. We need to see more support for your rights like going
to the capital and talking to your representatives or contacting them with
e-mails, letters or faxes, showing up at rallies at the capital and basically
getting active anyway you can to help save your rights. Turtle’s Tips a.
With fall here now it will be time soon to start watching for leaves
especially after any rain event, as the leaves will be slick as ice. b.
Remember after a rain or tire spins to watch out on back roads for the
wash out of gravel driveways. c.
This is the time of the year to watch out for “Long Shadows”. With the
sun hitting the earth at an angle the shadows stretch across the roads and can
make road hazards hard to see.
September 2, 2007 1. Updates from Mary and Richard’s Court Cases. a. Mary’s case is coming up on October 29th at 8:00am will post directions next month. b. Richard’s case is still pending. 2. Went over Federal intentions on proposals on Helmets, Loud pipes, European Clothing standards, Air Bags / Air Bag Vest and Driver Licenses. 3. Passed out Quarterly report of Turtle’s Tips (See Below) and Please feel free to copy, paste to your word doc., print and make copies and pass out to all your friends. Turtle's TipsQuarterly Summary1. One of the big numbers, beyond the Right of Way deaths, are the biker's dying under the influence. This is a personal choice but should taken seriously as we all have someone who cares for us. 2. Slow down when approaching ANY intersection or side road and watch the front tires of any vehicles for movement and anticipate that they WILL pull out in front of you. 3. Whenever possible DO NOT ride next to any other vehicles. You and the other driver need to have an escape area. 4. Stay out of the "Blind Spot" of cagers and other bikers. Don't depend on the right-hand or rear view mirrors on cagers they tend to look out the left hand mirror more often and the right-hand mirrors usually have the objects are closer than appear lenses. And stay in the one of the mirrors of other bikers. This gives a better chance of the other motorist of knowing where you are. 5. When riding in a group of 2 or more, in staggered formation, the lead bike should always be on the left side of the lane. This is the position most capable of seeing ahead for slowing or stopping traffic and being seen by the cager. And it is the responsibility of the lead rider to alert the rest of the pack of these situations. 6. DO NOT follow to closely to anyone! We've all seen or heard of the stopping distance charts that rely on reaction time. Well as we get older our reaction time begins to slow with everything else. Now I'm not saying we need to drive like a bunch of grannies but make a mental note now because your memory is the next to go. 7. Check your bike's ABC's before every trip. (A)ir Pressures (B)rakes (C)ontrols and Lights 8. Watch out for the slick spots cause by the sealing tar used on road repairs. There is a national study by DOT on the material used and the width of these patches due to several motorcycle fatalities linked to these patches. 9. Learn the road singles that biker's use. A. Road debris on Left side = Point down with Left arm or leg. B. Road debris on Right side = Point down with Right leg only. Note: Taking hand off the throttle may slow the lead bikes, without brake lights causing a dangerous slow down for the pack. C. Lead rider sees traffic slowing = Waiving up and down to the side with Left arm. D. Narrow road ahead = Left hand one finger raised. (Pointer!) E. Open road ahead = Left hand two fingers raised.
August 5, 2007
1.
Mary and Richard gave
updates on their court cases.
2.
Any help with new
members or paying for next year’s membership would be greatly appreciated by the
state due to low turnouts at the swap meets.
3.
Turtle’s Tips of
Motorcycle Safety and Education monthly report and review. Augusts Turtle’s Tips
A.
Check your bike’s ABC’s before every trip. (A)ir Pressures (B)rakes (C)ontrols
and Lights
B.
Watch out for the slick
spots cause by the sealing tar used on road repairs. There is a national study
by DOT on the material used and the width of these patches due to several
motorcycle fatalities linked to these patches.
C.
Learn
the road singles that biker’s use. (Offer the membership to participate by
giving examples of the following list and adding their own)
1.
Road debris on Left side
= Point down with Left arm or leg.
2.
Road debris on Right
side = Point down with Right leg only. Note:
Taking hand off the throttle may slow the lead bikes, without brake lights
causing a dangerous slow down for the pack.
3.
Lead rider sees traffic
slowing = Waiving up and down to the side with Left arm.
4.
Narrow road ahead = Left
hand one finger raised. (Pointer!)
5.
Open road ahead = Left
hand two fingers raised.
6.
Opened Floor for other
signals.
July 1, 2007 1. Updates on court cases Richard and Mary gave updates on their court cases. 2. Windshield Washing update. Check website for any schedules. 3. Letter from Tom Rice stating he will not let a Freedom of Choice bill get passed him.. 4. The rest of the year I will be concentrating on “Turtle’s Tips” of Motorcycle Safety and Education report each month and repeating the prior month’s report. June’s Turtle’s TipsA. One of the big numbers (1/3), beyond the Right of Way deaths, are the biker’s dying under the influence. This is a personal choice but should taken seriously as we all have someone who cares for us. B. Slow down when approaching ANY intersection or side road and watch the front tires of any vehicles for movement and anticipate that they WILL pull out in front of you. C. Whenever possible DO NOT ride next to any other vehicles. You and the other driver need to have an escape area. July’s Turtle’s TipsA. Stay out of the “Blind Spot” of cagers and other bikers. Don’t depend on the right-hand or rear view mirrors on cagers they tend to look out the left hand mirror more often and the right-hand mirrors usually have the objects are closer than appear lenses. And stay in the one of the mirrors of other bikers. This gives a better chance of the other motorist of knowing where you are. B. When riding in a group of 2 or more, in staggered formation, the lead bike should always be on the left side of the lane. This is the position most capable of seeing ahead for slowing or stopping traffic and being seen by the cager. And it is the responsibility of the lead rider to alert the rest of the pack of these situations. C. DO NOT follow to closely to anyone! We’ve all seen or heard of the stopping distance charts that rely on reaction time. Well as we get older our reaction time begins to slow with everything else. Now I’m not saying we need to drive like a bunch of grannies but make a mental note now because your memory is the next to go.
June 3, 2007 1. This year I am concentrating on two legal cases involving violations of (Right of Way - 40-6-77) and (Serious Injury by Vehicle - 40-6-394) effecting two members of District 2. (Mary and Richard gave an update) 2. The GOHS (Governor’s Office Of Highway Safety) is sponsoring Cleaning of Windshields events at rest areas along the Interstates in Georgia. They will supply the cleaning supplies and pass outs. Look on the District 2 website for details. 3. The rest of the year I will be concentrating on a (ABC) of Motorcycle Safety and Education report each month. This month’s (ABC)
B. Slow down when approaching ANY intersection or side road and watch the front tires of any vehicles for movement and anticipate that they WILL pull out in front of you. C. Whenever possible DO NOT ride next to any other vehicles. You and the other driver need to have an escape area. ============================================================================================== May 6, 2007
1. April 17th Sonny Perdue became a member of District 2. 2. April 25th Governor Perdue signed the proclamation of May being motorcycle awareness month. 3. I contacted the DOT and working with GOHS we now have the message boards over the interstate stating Share the Road Watch for Motorcycles till mid May. 4. This month I am concentrating on two Right of Way (ROW 40-6-77) violations effecting two members of District 2. 5. Saturday May 26th the GOHS (Governor’s Office Of Highway Safety) is sponsoring a Cleaning of Windshields event at rest areas along the Interstates in Georgia. They will supply the cleaning supplies and pass outs. Look on the District 2 website for details. 6. The rest of the year I will be concentrating on Motorcycle Safety and Education.
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Legislation News April 1, 2007
2. The good news is as of March 29, 2007 the Freedom of Choice (Helmet Bill), Sponsored by Representative Billy Horn of District 71, has received a number and it is HB-726 and we will be looking for other representatives to sign on to this bill. This means we will be able to hit the floor of the Capitol running the first day of sessions next year. 3. To date the other 3 bills have not made it out of the state’s legal department. 4. April 17th Sonny Perdue will become a member of District 2. 5. April 25th is the day governor Perdue will sign the proclamation of May being motorcycle awareness month. 6. This month I will be concentrating on two Right of Way (ROW 40-6-77) violations effecting two members of District 2 7. Thanks to all who wrote letters and made phone calls to your representatives IT HAS made a difference!! 8. Next month I will be concentrating on Motorcycle Safety and Education. ========================================================================== Legislation News Presented by Turtle at the March 4, 2007 Membership Meeting 1. We are planning an “Ides of March” Ride" to the State Capital on Thursday March 15, 2007 from 11:00am to 3:00pm on Washington Street. This will be similar to the Freedom Rides of the past. With chili and refreshments. Group ride will leave out at 10am Sharp! From Rabbit Town. 2. There are 5 bills in the works by state LD Ed “Yankee” Andross and Myself. a. As of 3/4/07 we have the helmet bill in the hands of House of Representatives Billy Horn and Clay Cox. b. As of 3/4/07 we have the Red Light bill 356 in the hands of Willy Tolson and have a committee meeting scheduled for March 6th leave Rabbit Town at 8:00am Sharp. We are still looking for sponsors for the other 3 bills. c. Motorcycle Awareness Programs d. Increase fines and add jail time on the Frank/Lee bill. e. Biker anti-discrimination bill. 3. We resurrected the letter writing campaign with more than 50 letters sent from District 2. ========================================================================== Legislation News Presented by Turtle at the February 4, 2007 Meeting 1. Good news! On January 22, 2007 at 11:41:37am I became a Lobbyist for ABATE. 2. Better News!! Steps are in place have Governor Sonny Perdue as a member of District 2. This will take place in April during the signing of the May Motorcycle Awareness Proclamation. I’ll be informed as soon as the date is set and I will inform everyone ASAP. 3. We are planning an “Ides of March” Ride" to the State Capital on Thursday March 15, 2007 from 11:00am to 3:00pm on Washington Street. This will be similar to the Freedom Rides of the past. With chili and refreshments. 4. I was informed at the State ABATE Board of Directors Meeting that a proposal I made 4 years ago has come to be. The driver’s test for cages will include questions concerning Motorcycles. 5. Possible ride to the capitol to see the legislators, while they are still in session, on their family day. Date set for Saturday, February 10th. There’s not enough time to get a ride together but anyone interested can contact me to ride down. 6. There are 5 bills in the works by state LD Ed “Yankee” Andross and Myself. a. As of 2/1/07 we have the helmet bill in the hands of House of Representatives Billy Horn and Clay Cox and we are working on the wording. b. As of 2/1/07 we have the Red Light bill in the hands of Willy Tolson. c. We are still looking for sponsors for the other 3 bills. a. Motorcycle Awareness Programs b. Increase fines and add jail time on the Frank/Lee bill. c. Allowing motorcycles at red light with no activation to proceed. d. Biker anti-discrimination bill. e. Last but not least the Helmet Choice Bill. 7. When the bills are assigned a number and a sponsor we will be resurrecting the post card campaign. ====================================================================== Legislation News Presented by Turtle at the January 7, 2007 Meeting 1. We are NOT planning a "Freedom Ride" to the State Capital in 2007 due to not enough bikes (<50 in the past) 2. Possible ride to the capitol for the legislator conducting the sessions on their family day. TBA and it’s on a Saturday while they are still in session. 3. There’s a good chance for ride in May for the Governor’s signing of the Motorcycle Awareness Proclamation and a possible presentation of an ABATE Membership to Sonny Pardue. 4. There are 5 bills in the works by state LD Ed “Yankee” Andross. I. Motorcycle Awareness Programs II. Increase fines and add jail time on the Frank/Lee bill. III. Allowing motorcycles at red light with no activation to proceed. IV. Biker anti-discrimination bill. V. Last but not least the Helmet Choice Bill. 5. The 2007 sessions begins January 8th for 40 working days. 6. When the bills are assigned a number and a sponsor we will be resurrecting the post card campaign.
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