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karen · Easyrider Joined: 23 Jan 2009 Posts: 61

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -6/04/10

NEW YORK LEGISLATION UPDATES:

Helmet, motorcycle: no updates

Rights

On Senate Codes agenda June 8, 2010
S6005A [A6468C]
Requires semiautomatic pistols manufactured or delivered to any licensed dealer in this state to be capable of microstamping ammunition

On Senate Transportation agenda June 8, 2010
S6789 [A10014]
Requires the suspension of a driver's license for an accident caused by the failure to yield the right of way and such failure results in the death of a person
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Gang

A11087 [no same as] - UPDATE
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a gang assessment, intervention, prevention and suppression program
Status: 06/03/2010 reported referred to ways and means
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NEW YORK NEWS

www.cbs6albany.com/news/police-1274364-troy-music.html

Beware blasting music from cars in Troy: police begin crackdown
May 28, 2010 2:35 PM

TROY -- Troy Police are warning residents that they will be issuing tickets beginning this weekend to those who play loud music from their vehicles and violate noise ordinances.

Police will be utilizing sound meter technology, issuing tickets and towing vehicles in violations of the ordinance; police will also be cracking down on noise-enhanced mufflers on motorcycles.

""As the better weather is upon us the problem of loud music emanating from vehicles can affect the quality of life in our neighborhoods," said Troy Police spokesperson Sgt. Terry Buchanan."We take this issue seriously, as we know our residents do, and are committed to help maintaining peace and quiet."
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DMV
www.nydmv.state.ny.us/press/pr060310.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, June 3, 2010

JUNE IS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH
Motorists and Riders Urged To Be Safe and Share the Road

In 2008, there were nearly 5,400 motorcycle crashes in New York State. Motorcycle fatalities increased by almost nine percent from 2007 to 2008, although preliminary data does show a decrease in motorcycle fatalities between 2008 and 2009. The second most common factor in these crashes was failure to yield the right of way. Between 2008 and 2009 there was an increase of motorcycle registrations of almost ten percent.

With those statistics in mind, Commissioner David J. Swarts of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, members of law enforcement and motorcycle safety trainers today held an event in Colonie, New York to remind motorists to watch for motorcycles on the roadways and encourage motorcycle riders to be properly trained.

"With the warmer weather upon us, we see an increased number of motorcycles on our roadways," said DMV Commissioner Swarts. "Riding a motorcycle is more than a hobby and bikes are not toys. They are as much a part of our transportation system as are cars and trucks. We also remind motorists to watch out for motorcycles and encourage motorcyclists to get proper training so they can be prepared for every ride."

"We provide protection for all of the motoring public, however, there are times when we need to concentrate our efforts at specific times and places to maximize safety," said New York State Police Acting Superintendent John P. Melville. "With the warmer weather, the traffic mix will certainly include more motorcyclists. By their very nature these highway users are not afforded the protection of a typical car or truck, therefore we are asking the public to "look twice for motorcycles". And just as we ask the public to ensure their seatbelts are fastened, with our "Click It or Ticket" campaign we also want to emphasize to the motorcycling community that we take the same zero tolerance approach with non-compliant DOT helmets. We know that the primary cause of a motorcycle fatality is a head injury, therefore we will seek to ensure every rider, every time, has a proper DOT compliant helmet."

In 2008, more than 14,500 students were trained in the Basic Rider Course statewide. The course is a 15-hour training program including classroom and on-motorcycle instruction. It is designed for beginner and re-entry riders and allows them to learn or review basic riding skills.

Since the DMV began offering the road test waiver benefit in 1996, more than 100,000 motorcyclists have taken the Basic Rider Course in New York State. Approximately one quarter of all new motorcycle licenses issued in 2008 were earned by completing the Basic Rider Course.

As part of its continuing effort to encourage motorcyclists to participate in appropriate training the DMV recently completed a DVD entitled "Learning is For Life" which was also introduced at today's event. The 5-minute video was produced for the Department in cooperation with the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is intended for use by traffic safety professionals, traffic safety boards, law enforcement, motorcycle rider organizations, motorcycle dealerships and other organizations that interact with motorcyclists on a regular basis. This expansive network will be able to screen the video at public events, as part of traffic safety initiatives and other venues where motorcyclists can be reached and encouraged to enroll in rider education.

More information on motorcycle safety can be found by visiting the DMV's Web site at nysdmv.com or the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Web site at SafeNY.com. To view the 'Learning is For Life' video, please visit nysmsp.org. ### ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATES

Maine:
http://www.mecalm.org/
Maine Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles

MAINE STATE POLICE MAKE CONVICTIONS EASIER FOR MOTORCYCLE EXHAUST TAMPERING

Several MECALM activists met on May 18, 2010 with Col. Patrick Fleming, head of the Maine State Police, and Lt. Brian Scott, who heads traffic safety. Lt. Scott passed out copies of a revision to Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA 1912, sub-1, which will go into effect in July 2010. Under the muffler requirement (3. Amplification prohibited) the words "to amplify" have been removed from the state inspection regulations.

Lt. Scott said that this will increase the likelihood of getting a conviction in court because it will no longer be necessary to show that the violator modified the exhaust with the specific intent to amplify noise.

Col. Fleming said he would explain this change in regulations at a June 2010 meeting with the Maine Chiefs of Police Association.

It's possible this seemingly minor change will encourage police chiefs and sheriffs to increase efforts to enforce laws that are supposed to regulate motorcycles. Police are clearly unwilling to bring cases that will likely be thrown out in court.

Lt. Scott was to make a presentation on the rule changes to the Maine Chief of Police Association in June, and was to inform all state troopers via email.

MECALM asks all police departments to consistently enforce Maine state law, which makes it illegal to remove, modify, or tamper with a bike's original muffler in a way that makes it louder.
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NOTE: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC639.asp

An Act Relating to Road Noise
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §1912, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

1. Muffler required. A person may not operate a motor vehicle unless that vehicle is equipped with an adequate muffler properly maintained to prevent excessive or unusual noise. For purposes of this subsection, “excessive or unusual noise” includes motor noise emitted by a motor vehicle that is noticeably louder than similar vehicles in the environment.

Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §1912, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

3. Amplification prohibited. A person may not operate a motor vehicle with an exhaust system that has been modified [to amplify- removed] when the result of that modification is the amplification or increase [the-removed] of noise emitted by the motor above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle.

Sec. 3. Working group; excessive highway traffic noise. The Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police shall convene a working group to study issues relating to highway traffic noise, including, but not limited to, unwarranted noise created when an exhaust system is not properly installed or maintained or is altered. The working group must include representatives from municipal and county law enforcement, a commercial motor carrier association, the Department of Transportation, the Maine Turnpike Authority and a neighborhood or neighborhood association affected by highway noise. The working group shall submit a report, including findings and recommendations, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters no later than January 15, 2011.

Effective July 12, 2010
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Taken from Rhode Island Motorcycle Association:
http://www.rimotorcycle.com/index.php

NEWS

5/30/10 Woonsocket to give verbal warnings for loud noise violations, however after June 14th expect to be ticked. First offense $100. New Police Chief brags about hundreds of tickets handed out in Florida while he was there. See our legislative page for link to actual ordinance.

Woonsocket- noise:
Sec. 14-5. Noise.

Vehicles as used in this section shall be those as defined in Rhode Island General Law 31-1-3.
(b) In accordance with Rhode Island General Law 31-23-13, it shall be unlawful for any motor vehicle to operate without a muffler.
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WI-Green Bay PD
http://www.gbpolice.org/news/cutenews/show_news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1275054366&archive=&template=rightheadlines

GREEN BAY POLICE DEPARTMENT
OPERATIONS DIVISION

****PRESS RELEASE****
Lt. Bradley R. Florence
920-448-3217

Date: May 28, 2010
Re: Loud Muffler Enforcement

The City of Green Bay is receiving an increased level of complaints on loud vehicle mufflers, especially motorcycle mufflers. The Green Bay Police Department is responding by providing extra training and information to its officers to increase the enforcement of the loud muffler ordinance.

Excessive noise from motor vehicles is a serious health hazard to the public health, and welfare, safety, and quality of life. Citizens have a right to and should be ensured of an environment free from excessive noise that may jeopardize their health, welfare, and safety, or degrade their quality of life

Officers will be stepping up enforcement of loud or illegal vehicle mufflers on vehicles traveling on Green Bay streets, and issuing citations where appropriate.

The City of Green Bay ordinance defines an illegal muffler as any muffler equipped with a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device; or any muffler that allows unreasonably noise, smoke, or flame. In addition, any motorcycle manufactured after December 31, 1982, that is not equipped with a exhaust muffler bearing the Federal EPA required labeling applicable to that motorcycle’s model year.

The Green Bay Police Department is also encouraging the public to assist in identifying vehicles with illegal mufflers. Anyone can go to the Green Bay Police Department website at WWW.GBPOLICE.ORG, click on the “Online Services” tab, and then click on the “Loud Vehicle” tab, fill out as much information about the vehicle and submit. This form can also be printed out and submitted personally or by mail at the Green Bay Police Department, 307 S. Adams St., Green Bay, WI 54301.

All submissions will be investigated, with the offending vehicle owner potentially having their vehicle ordered into the Green Bay Police Department for an inspection. Violations could result in citations up to $500.00 plus court costs.

Posted on 28 May 2010 by pdnews
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NEW REPORTS

Toward Understanding the Recent Large Reductions in U.S. Road Fatalities MAY 2010 Last Modified Date: 5/28/2010

The University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute has released a report that explores the mechanisms that could be responsible for the unprecedented drop in road fatalities that took place from 2005 to 2009. According to the report, U.S. road fatalities dropped by 22% from 43,510 in 2005 to 33,963 in 2009.

PDF 26 pages:
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/71390/1/102304.pdf
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Detecting Motorcyclists and Bicyclists at Intersections
by David R.P. Gibson, Bo Ling, and Spandan Tiwari

A new multisensor system differentiates vehicles on the road, which could save lives.

NOTE:
Taken from: Public Roads Magazine May/June 2010 -- posted on June 1, 2010
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/10mayjun/06.cfm
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MOTORCYCLE LANE-SHARING
Literature Review
By Myra Sperley, Amanda Joy Pietz
Oregon Department of Transportation, Research Section
June 2010

PDF 27 pages:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_RES/docs/Reports/2010/Motorcycle_Lane_Sharing.pdf
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Motorcycle Safety Foundation presentations at the International Conference on Safety and Mobility of Vulnerable Road Users in Jerusalem, Israel

The MSF RETS: A System Designed to Succeed
Paper -PDF 35 pages:
http://www.msf-usa.org/vru/MSF_RETS-A_System_Designed_to_Succeed.pdf
Presentation - PDF 64 pages:
http://www.msf-usa.org/vru/VRU_Intl_Conference-MSF_RETS.pdf

Preparing Riders to S.E.E. Better: MSF Tools for Improving Hazard Perception Paper - PDF 29 pages:
http://www.msf-usa.org/vru/MSF_Tools_for_Improving_Hazard_Perception.pdf

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