Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128332
"Justice For All" Gathers Support n the wake of the controversial trial of former U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow and its aftermath, the AlMA is vigorously moving forward with its "Justice for All" campaign, one of the main goals of which is to urge states to create tougher penalties for motorists I convicted of criminal acts against other motorists, including motorcyclists. To that end, the AMA also announced that Justice for All is receiving the support from a number of state and national motor- cycling organizations that have formally voiced their support for the campaign . Among the groups backing the goals of Justice for All are the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, ABATE of Indiana, ABATE for Missouri, ABATE of South Dakota, ABATE of Wisconsin, BikePAC of Colorado, the Connecticut Motorcycle offenses or criminal actions by any motorist result in another's death or serious injury. suspension." much of the support that we are receiving "By endorsing the goals of Justice for All, the three scenarios common in most crimi- is from organizations in those states, where these organizations demonstrate their commitment to working in the best interests of nal motor vehicle cases: noninjury, injury and fatality. The proposals below would be minimum penalties. we are proposing the guidelines and they are proposing the laws." In August, the AMA will take Justice for All to South Dakota for the 64th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Sturgis rally goers can visit the AMI>:s Justice for All information center at the Sturgis Music Festival grounds, located one block off Main Street at the comer of 2nd and Lazelle, from Tuesday, August 10, through Friday, August 13. Card-carrying AMA members will have American motorcyclists," said Edward Moreland, vice president of ANA government relations, in a release issued by the ANA "We're gratified to have their leadership and support, and we look forward to working with them to effect change that benefits riders nationwide." The ANA is already working with those groups to encourage tougher sentencing guidelines in the penalty phase - after guilt has been established by the evidence in a trial. "There is no formal framework [specific wording] to our model legislation as much as "We are not going to Sturgis to engage in 'Janklow bashing.'" - Tom Lindsay " In the first tier, which would be instances of noninjury, we're proposing a fine of $1000, a 180-day suspension of license and no jail time," Lindsay said. "For injury cases, a fine of $2000, a one-year suspension and 90 days of jail time. Where fatalities are involved, we propose a fine of $5000, threeyear license suspension and one year of jail time. Allof these would be in addition to any penalties already on the books. " Lindsay also said that the AMA is working with the various organizations to ensure that more specific wording wou ld be as effective as possible in each state. "For example, most people familiar with the law know that the words 'may' and 'shall' can have different meanings," Lindsay said. "Often the word 'may ' infers a recommendat ion to the judge, while 'shall' is a requirement and not just a recommendation." Rigid as the AMI>:s proposals may seem, Riders Association, and the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association . Although Justice for All focuses the pub- states with no guidelines whatsoever, and Lindsay said that the three tiers answer access to special parking (as space is avail- able), as well as a 10 percent discount at the Sturgis Music Festival's food court and access to the Sturgis Music Festival VIP area. Lindsay wanted to make it clear that the AMA is using the opportunity to create awareness and effect positive change. "We are not going to Sturgis to engage in 'Janklow bashing," Lindsay said. "While Janklow was a high-profile case and the catalyst for the program, the message now is 'Whe re we are going from here.' there are firm guidelines that we are work- Lindsay also made in interesting point within lic's attention on inadequate sentencing of drivers who seriously injure or kill motorcy- ing with ," AlMA public information director Tom Lindsay told Cycle News. "What we have proposed involves three tiers with three components to each tier. The three the context of the Janklow verdict. "BillJanklow got a lot tougher treatment than this - but to be fair, the judge also had a lot more available to him in the penalty phase clists, the AMA advocates legislation establishing tougher penalties when traffic components to each tier involve monetary fines, incarceration, and license or permit when it came time for sentencing ," Lindsay to believe, there will be between ISO,OOO to 200,000 people attending Sturgis . Hopefully our message will reach them, and they can take it back with them to whatev- said. "But the fact is that there are still many er precinct or state they are from." available throughout race weekends so com- AMA Tightens Sound Rules The following technical bulletin was distributed to all AMA Chevrolet Motocross Championship credential holders on Friday, July 2. According to series manager Steve Wh itelock, the plan is designed to ensure that all competitors are in compliance for sound and allows for a "phasing in" of tighter testing procedures. "Th e I02dB/A limit is already in the AMA Motocross Rulebook, " said Wh itelock . "This multistep compliance procedure simply allows competitors a reasonable time frame to ensure they are within the existing guidelines. With so many four-stroke motorcycles comprising the field now, it's clear we have to take steps to ensure everyone's following the sound ru les." TO: All Licensed Motocross/Supercross Riders and Season Credential Holders FROM : Rob King, Technical Manager DATE: July 2, 2004 SUBJECT: Sound AMA Pro Racing has been conducting sound tests at selected rounds of the 2004 AMA Motocross Championship. Effective immediately, we will begin implementing new meas ures to ensure all competitors are in compl i- ance with existing sound rules . In order to provide everyone with a rea sonable time frame to understand the testing methodology and to ensure that all motorcycles are in compliance. the following will be implemented : petitors can voluntarily subm it the ir motorcy- I. At Round Six (Unadilla, July 17, 18) we will be conducting sound tests randomly throughout the race weekend. Sound levels will be recorded , and any competitor exceeding the 102dB/A sound level will be issued a warn ing. 2. Beginning at Round Seven (Kenworthy's, July 24, 25) and at subsequent rounds, we will continue to It is our intent ion to make it as easy as possible for competitors to determine the cles for sound testing . 4. AMA Pro Racing will follow SAE J1287 guidelines. AMA Pro Racing will be the sole sound levels of their motorcycles and bring detennining factor on whether or not motorcycles are in compliance for sound. everyone is proactively observing existing conduct sound tests randomly throughout race weekends. If, d uring pre-race tech inspection, a motor- cycle is not in compliance for sound , that competitor will be requ ired to bring his/her motorcycle into compliance to pass tech . If a motorcycle is not tested for sound during tech inspection but failsa sound test adminis- tered at any other time throughout the race weekend, that competitor may be requ ired to bring his/her motorcycle into compliance before returning to competition. 3. AlMA Pro Racing technical staff will be 10 JULY 14,2004 • CYCLE NEWS Depending on whose estimates you choose 40t h Anniversary them into compliance as necessary. It is in the best interest of our sport to ensure that sound rules, and we expect full cooperation.