South Carolina Motorcycle Rights Association

The talks about a comprehensive transportation bill have begun, but it is almost pointless. The funding model for the highway trust fund is broken. With Americans driving less and driving more fuel-efficient vehicles, we are buying less gas, which directly equates to less cash in the trust fund. What is really needed is a slight increase in the gas tax that right now is 18.4 cents a gallon. Your state gas tax is likely nearly double the federal, and that money goes to Medicare bills and school lunches, not roads and bridges. Not sure if you saw the news, but a bridge collapsed in Cincinnati a few days ago. Our infrastructure is falling down around us and the Congress won’t raise the gas tax a nickel a gallon, which would solve all problems.

Those against a fast tax say we should first look at where we can cut out non-essential spending in the current form. Mass transit does not pay into the trust fund whatsoever yet they get about 20 percent of the money right off the top. Then there are ludicrous programs such as the one that gives money to roadside museums; largest ball of dirt anyone? The problem is when you start cutting, why stop there? Some will say that the motorcycle safety money deserves to be cut. If it’s not building roads, bridges, or tunnels, it must go. Also reality dictates that the Congress is not going to strip mass transit funding; it’s just not going to happen. Mass transit makes the argument that they help alleviate congestion by keeping cars off the roads.

Your friends over at the Advocates for Highway Safety released their annual report this week. Entitled “Lethal Loopholes,” the report takes aim at what State Legislatures are up to. Concerning motorcycles, they say "no mandatory helmet laws (were) adopted, but none (were) repealed." So they know that we have the power to repeal laws, and they will do everything in there power to stop us. Success can invite opposition with strength. The report parades out the usual nonsense like referencing the 1997 low point of fatalities, which was the lowest fatal year in history (and also the lowest year of registrations) as well as how much money would be saved if we had all rider helmet laws. Don't take my word for it, read the report here: http://saferoads.org/files/2015%20Roadmap%20Report%20FINAL_0.pdf

Have a great week! Jeff