Sunday, February 7, 2010

Nebraska legislature debates helmet law repeal; Blue Knights International Conventions this summer and in 2011; Law Enforcement Memorial Week; Nebraska racers competing in Arizona and Florida

The Nebraska Legislature is considering the repeal of the helmet law. This is a debate that goes back to 1989 when the helmet law was passed. Senator Charlie Janssen of Fremont introduced LB200, which would end Nebraska’s 21-year helmet mandate. Janssen said repealing the law is all about personal choice, freedom and tourism dollars. He contends motorcyclists going to the Sturgis rally in South Dakota do not go through Nebraska, rather detouring through states that do not require helmets to be worn.


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Apparently Senator Janssen has not traveled Highway 2 northwest out of Grand Island during the Sturgis rally. It’s been 12 years since I went, but when I did, traffic was heavy along the entire route. Maybe things have changed a lot since then?

Other states that have repealed helmet laws have experienced an increase in fatalities and serious head injuries. Insurance premiums on motorcycles also have been found to increase with the repeal of helmet laws.

A later amendment was added to the bill that would require motorcyclists to buy long-term health insurance to ensure the public doesn’t have to pay if they’re injured in an accident. However, the insurance requirement raised so many new questions that Senator Janssen said he will work to clarify or eliminate the issue. The helmet issue has now been put on hold for at least a week while the insurance requirements are being looked at.


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Discussions about helmet use have been on the Blue Knights message boards off and on for as long as I’ve been viewing them. The issue of “choice” and “personal freedoms” keep coming up. I seem to remember many years ago, when I was taking Drivers’ Education (yes, they had it waaayyy back then!!), I heard that driving is not a right, it’s a PRIVILEGE! If your driver’s license is revoked, your operating PRIVILEGES are taken away.


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Among the goals of the Blue Knights are promoting and advancing the sport and safety of motorcycling and to promote by example and any other acceptable means, the safe use, operation and enjoyment of motorcycles. Blue Knights rules require us to wear helmets on all organized Blue Knights rides whether we are in a helmet law state or not.

Now that I’ve stirred up some hate and discontent, I’ll move on.

Even while I’m in the planning stage of the trip to Billings for the 2010 Blue Knights International Convention, I’m already looking ahead to 2011 when the International Convention will be held at Chesapeake, Virginia. We’ve talked for several years about taking a motorcycle trip to the east, and this is a chance to fulfill that dream. I was stationed at Ft Lee, Virginia in 1971 and was able to get to Virginia Beach twice. I spent several weekends sightseeing in Washington, D.C. and toured the Petersburg battlefield. One stop we definitely want to make, whether on the way there or coming home, is at Nashville and we also want to stop at Memphis. As soon as the ride to Billings and home is over, I’ll be planning the ride to Chesapeake!




Actually, there is another ride I want to make. Every year in May, the National Police Week Ceremony is held in Washington, D.C. A good portion of this week is geared toward the survivors of those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) have a picnic at the end of the week and members of the Blue Knights COPSRUN attend and give motorcycle rides to the children and family members of the fallen officers. A K.C. Metro Blue Knight, the late Steve Weinberg and his wife, Rose, were huge supporters of the Law Enforcement Memorial Week and attended yearly. I always enjoyed hearing his first-hand experiences and have always wanted to go to D.C. for it. I want to be able to go before I’m too old to go.


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We had a good portion of our snow melt, only to be replaced by some more snow. Actually, our area in Nebraska was fortunate as we only got an inch or so of the white wet stuff. Other parts of the state got more. While I was working on Thursday night, I heard radio traffic from other agencies that were working a lot of fender benders. It sounded like there were plenty of accidents on the interstate.

Gage County recorded a fatality a few miles east of Beatrice on the highway when a driver lost control of his vehicle and slid into the path of an oncoming vehicle. PLEASE, not matter where you are, BE CAREFUL DRIVING IN WINTER WEATHER!!

Speaking of winter weather, the Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia areas are getting hammered with 2 FEET of snow! I guess there won’t be any global warming summits this week!


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I know there are some areas of the country where it’s nice enough to ride and there are races going on, too. Nebraska IMCA Modified driver Dylan Smith, who won the National Points battle in 2009, won the A Feature last Sunday afternoon at Canyon Speedway Park at Peoria, AZ. He is competing in the Winter Challenge Series. Dylan came through the B Feature for a starting spot in the A Feature. He took the lead in the A Feature just before taking the white flag.

Kyle Berck of Marquette, Nebraska has been racing his late model in the Lucas Oil Series at East Bay Raceway in Florida the last week. He is racing against the likes of Billy Moyer, Scott Bloomquist, Shannon Babb, Jimmy Mars and Earl Pearson. The series wraps up with a $12,000 to win show on Saturday February 6th.

www.jetracinginc.com



3 comments:

  1. So far the helmet repeal is on hold.

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  2. I think you should have to wear a helmet anyways!! I mean heck, your out in the wide open and if you crash then there ain't anothing protecting your head!! But I guess if you know that and still ride without a helmet then I guess you don't have a head anyways!! LOL

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  3. I don't remember, does Utah have a helmet law? I've always worn mine when I rode through there because I wouldn't have had anywhere else to put it except for on my head. Thanks for your comment.

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