What Makes A Police Officer Pull Over A Motorcyclist
It should come as no surprise to anyone who has dealt with law enforcement in any capacity that not all officers are the same and their actions and the way they treat people are not uniform. There are many variables that could influence how your interaction with a police officer goes, or whether you have an interaction with one at all. Since there are no hard-and-fast rules or official how-to guide for dealing with law enforcement as a rider, sometimes all you can do is turn to anecdotal advice and a bit of common sense. According to a Police Officer…
Worst States For Drunk Driving
The Motorcycle Law Group is proud to represent riders and drivers in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Drunk driving is dangerous for everyone on our roads, but we were wondering which of our states has the most serious issue with drunk driving. Download PDF Here
Tips To Keep Your Motorcycle Running In Top Shape
Keeping your bike in proper working order helps keep you safe on the road. Some riders like to handle nearly all types of maintenance on their own, while others trust the big service jobs to professional mechanics. Even if you’re not mechanically inclined, there are still a handful of relatively easily routine maintenance jobs you can likely perform yourself. These are just general suggestions. The actual proper application of each of the following maintenance suggestions may vary depending on the year, make and model of your motorcycle. Always consult your owner’s manual before performing any maintenance on your bike. Checking…
The Evolution Of Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Motorcycles have been a fixture in American culture since the end of World War II, when thousands of veterans who rode during wartime came home. The second World War wasn’t the first time motorcycles had been used in war – in fact the U.S. military used motorcycles (Harley-Davidson’s to be specific) with sidecars during their hunt for Pancho Villa in 1916. During World War I, half of Harley-Davidson’s bike output – approximately 20,000 – were sent oversees so commanders could quickly send messages via motorcycles.1 But it wasn’t until WWII when bikes became a huge part of the war effort….
Three Wheeled Automobiles
This month, theMotorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) announced the introduction of a letter to theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding the current federal definition of motorcycles. NHTSA defines a motorcycle as a motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. With the recent proliferation of three-wheeled automobiles such as the Polaris Slingshot and the Campagna T-Rex, this definition is no longer adequate. A motor vehicle equipped with a foot-controlled accelerator and a steering wheel should not fall…
Unwritten Rules Of Riding Motorcycles
Assume Every Car or Truck on the Road Is an Accident Waiting to Happen Every motorist, regardless of their vehicle, is well served by driving defensively. Motorcyclists should take defensive driving up a notch and essentially ride as if they’re invisible. Car, truck and SUV drivers regularly cut motorcyclists off, drift into their lane or even tailgate riders as if they have little to no regard for rider safety. Assuming you’re invisible to drivers puts you in an avoidance-mode mindset. You can’t rely on other drivers to keep you safe – you have to be the responsible one. Bugs and…
Should Vehicle Drivers Learn Motorcycle Laws
Other than equipment laws and a handful of laws pertaining to lane sharing, and in some states traffic lights, there really aren’t that many different laws that are specific to motorcycle riders. However, there are a lot of informal rules of the road motorcyclists follow. Many of these rules keep riders safe from passenger car and truck drivers, and as a courtesy to riders it would be nice if more people were aware of them. Motorcycle Hand Signals Drivers Should Know Any car or truck driver unfamiliar with the hand signals motorcyclists use to communicate on the road may want…
Motorcycle Safety Preparedness
How to be Prepared and Ensure Safety While Riding Our friends at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have put out their 2018 report on motorcycle crashes and fatalities. The latest report focuses on data collected for the year 2016. According to NHTSA, motorcycle fatalities rose 5.1% between 2015 and 2016. The report also states that 25% of those fatalities were related to alcohol impairment. Finally, NHTSA indicates that the lack of mandatory motorcycle helmet laws nationwide is a contributing factor to the rise in motorcycle fatalities. When you read the report, it is easy to conclude that motorcyclists…
Motorcycle Statutes To Remember
Motorcycle Statutes To Remember When Riding in Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, West Virginia and Georgia Riders often know traffic laws better than the average driver. They have to since law enforcement profiling of riders is still a thing many motorcyclists have to contend with, whether they’re just riding to and from work or school or out on a road trip with friends. Traffic laws are passed on a state-by-state basis, meaning a different set of rules apply once you cross a border from one state to another. Here aresome laws to keep in mind when you’re out riding. It’s…
Virginia To Change The Definition Of A Salvage Vehicle
The Chairmen of the Senate and House Transportation Committees requested that a committee be formed over the summer to look at the proposed change to Virginia law as it pertains to the definition of a salvage vehicle. For those of you who followed last year’s session, you will recall that there were two identical bills, Senate Bill 1364 and House Bill 1780, that would have changed the definition of a salvage vehicle by removing the requirement that the vehicle be a late model vehicle. A late model vehicle is a vehicle of the current year, or previous five years. Susan…