From the GWRRA Texas Chapter M-2 Education Corner October 2009

“Legislative Update”

Your trusted reporter has waded through the jungle of legislative language on your behalf, in order to uncover the real story on the latest motorcycle-related legislation. Below, the scoop:

Governor Perry signed legislation last June that became effective on September 1 which relates to motorcycle safety. SB 1967 is made up of several elements. First, the new statute pro-vides that anyone who applies for a motorcycle driver’s license must provide proof that he or she has completed a TxDot approved Motorcycle Operator Training and Safety course. (For example, the MSF Basic Rider Course.) This applies to original applications, not renewals. (Here in GWRRA, we believe in keeping our riding skills sharp, so we look to our members to take Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses every three years to maintain our Rider Education levels.). DPS is prohibited from issuing a license to someone who can’t provide the required proof.

Second, the new statute makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a driver to cause an accident by failing to yield the right-of-way to any vehicle. If the accident results in the injury of the other driver/rider, the offense becomes a Class A misdemeanor. This higher level of penalty was driven by more than one case where the driver of a car turning left failed to yield to an on-coming motorcycle and caused serious injuries or even fatalities. In the past, the driver could walk away with nothing more than a moving violation.

The new statute also prohibits peace officers from stopping a motorcyclist expressly for the purpose of checking whether the rider has completed training or is covered by health insurance.

And best of all, the Department of Transportation is required to fund and conduct a continuing public awareness campaign to promote motorcyclist safety and the concept of sharing the road with motorcyclists.

Your tax dollars at work!

Nancy Kwiecien
GWRRA Spring, Texas Chapter M-2 Chapter Educator