subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Jul 04 2009 

Published: April 07, 2006 11:42 pm    print this story  

Logic doesn’t pan out

It is extremely unfortunate for the approximately 77,000 registered motorcyclists in Mississippi that fully 67 percent of motorcycle-related deaths incurred in the United States are caused by motor vehicle drivers who violate the right-of-way of the motorcyclist.

Thus, saying, “If safety is the objective, outlaw motorcycles” is the equivalent of saying, “Lower the murder rate, outlaw victims.”

This kind of mindset is one of the major causes of motorcyclist accidents — the attitude that we somehow deserve to be run over because we’re out there doing something we shouldn’t be.

Rather than putting a Band-Aid on the symptom, how about curing the problem? The Mississippi Legislature wouldn’t pass a motorcycle education and safety bill out of committee last session — a bill that, if passed, would have qualified Mississippi for a piece of $25 million in federal funds earmarked to promote motorcycle safety and awareness through the recently passed Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users.

So to you, Mr. Mathena, and to The Meridian Star, if the objective truly is safety, I strongly suggest you call your elected officials and encourage them to pass the bills that — where passed in other states — have significantly reduced the percentage of motorcycle-related accidents, so that our mothers, fathers, children and friends can make it home safely on their next ride.



Syndi Knibbe

Horn Lake



Editor’s note: Ms. Knibbe is the state safety and education officer for ABATE, American Bikers Aimed Toward Education.

print this story  



Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Billing Clerk
Local OB-GYN office has opening for
Experienced Billing Clerk
Electronic billing, keying in payments, etc. <...>MORE

Landscaping
Landscaping - Bonita Lakes Mall
PT, 1st shift.  Exp’d person in commercial
exterior landscaping.  Valid drive...>MORE

Interventional Radiology Tech
Interventional Radiology Tech
FT position available
Must be registered w/ 1 yr exp. Qualified applicants may ...>MORE

Equipment Specialist
Growing Home Medical Equipment company seeks a full-time Equipment Specialist in the Meridian/Newton area to deliver med...>MORE

Drivers
DRIVERS WANTED
Local ready mix concrete supplier needs drivers.  Earn up to $40,000 your first year.  Class A or B ...>MORE

QEP Assessment Coordinator/Trainer (Scooba)
East Mississippi Community College is accepting applications for a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Assessment Coordinat...>MORE

See all ads
Premium Homes

Only $299/mo!
“SUMMER SIZZLER SALE:” for sale 2009 “Southern Dream” 16x80 3bed+2bath includes vinyl siding, shingled roof,
plywo...>MORE

One of the Best Neighborhoods in Meridian!
Colonial Acres 4927 3rd Place
One of the best neighborhoods in the city!
PS School Dist: 4/3; 3,750 sq. ft. H...>MORE

See all ads
Deal of the Day

Hunting Club Memberships Available
Hunting Memberships
Need 3 new members.
Sumter Co., AL. $1100/yr. 23 member club, 51 yr. old club. 601-483-494...>MORE

Farms/Acreage
20+ acres, barn, pond, mostly frontage. 12 yr. old pines. 1/2 way between Meridian & Philadelphia.(601)485-2312...>MORE

Personalized Car Buying
DIRECT FROM THE AUCTION CAR BUYING!
I have access to the Wholesale Dealer Auctions. I will go to the auction, buy ...>MORE

**** RICK BONNER AUCTIONS 4TH SPECTACULAR****
Auction of Antiques and Collectibles
Sat. July 4, 2009
Auction 10am; Preview 9AM
Whynot Community Center ...>MORE

See all ads

Our Partners
American Profile
Relish

Loading Calendar...
(requires Javascript)
© 2006, The Meridian Star
814 22nd Avenue; Meridian, MS 39302
(601) 693-1551; Email feedback and news tips
rtj

 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index