http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/117399458.html?page=1
Wisconsin congressmen want ban on motorcycle-only traffic checkpoints
By Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel March 4, 2011 |
Wisconsin Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner, Paul Ryan and Tom Petri have introduced a bill that would prohibit the secretary of transportation from providing funds to state and local governments for the use of motorcycle-only traffic checkpoints.
“The first step in motorcycle crash prevention should be rider education and increased awareness. Taxpayer money should not be spent on helmet checkpoints that do not prevent crashes," Petri said in a news release.
"The checkpoints go beyond the helmet issue and also include motorcycle safety inspections. We have limited resources, and motorcycle checkpoints won't get us the biggest bang for the buck," Petri said. "Also, it's outrageously intrusive. Nobody is suggesting pulling cars off the road for unscheduled inspections, so why are motorcycle riders being harassed?"
Sensenbrenner and Petri have asked federal officials to suspend a grant that funds the checkpoints program until their concerns were addressed. Until evidence suggests otherwise, they say, motorcycle safety funding should focus on awareness programs and the causes of crashes.
The bill they introduced is House Resolution 904