Motorcycle Awareness Month PSA’s

Motorcycle Awareness Month PSA’s

SB 293 Update

SB293
Vehicle Laws – Injury or Death of Vulnerable Individual – Penalties Senator Waldstreicher [email protected] 410-841-3137 or 301-858-3137 and Carozza [email protected] 410-841–3645 or 301-858-3645

Abate of Maryland requested favorable report. Submitted by KS, RS.

Prohibiting an individual from causing the serious physical injury or death of a vulnerable individual as a result of the individual operating a vehicle in violation of the Maryland Vehicle Law; defining “vulnerable individual” as a pedestrian lawfully engaged in certain activity, including certain workers and emergency services personnel, an individual lawfully walking an animal, or an individual operating certain modes of transport; establishing penalties of a fine of up to $2,000, community service, and participation in a safety course; etc.

Passed Senate with a vote off 45-0. Call/email the sponsors and thank them for bring this important bill forward.

Awaiting final passage and a Governor Signature.

HB178

HB 178 As Chairman of the Board of ABATE of Maryland and on behalf of all motorcyclists in our Great State we would like to express our opposition to House Bill 178. We are strong advocates for responsible driving and vehicle safety. We advocate for full adherence to licensing and all traffic safety laws. We have repeatedly advocated for mandatory court appearances for any motor vehicle accidents resulting in serious bodily injury or death. As an organization, we feel the broad-reaching aspects of HB 178 do not adequately address these issues. We fear that sub-section 22-609 may be used to profile certain types of vehicles and vehicle operators. We also believe it puts an unnecessary onus on our law enforcement officers. We respectfully request an unfavorable report and vote on HB 178.

Bob Spanburgh 1/13/2021

HB 293

SB 293: As Chairman of the Board of ABATE of Maryland and on behalf of all motorcyclists in our Great State we endorse passage of Senate Bill 293. Representatives of our organization have testified on behalf of passage of this legislation before. Although we at ABATE of Maryland do not view ourselves as “vulnerable individuals” we are fully in support of legislation that would require anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in death or serious bodily injury to be required to appear in court of law. It is our view as an organization that ALL citizens should be afforded the fundamental right to attend court proceedings and actually see the party or parties involved with the loss and/or disfigurement of their loved ones. We respectfully request a favorable report and vote from the committee for SB 293.

Bob Spanburgh 1/13/2021

SB17

SB17: As Chairman of the Board of ABATE of Maryland and on behalf of all motorcyclists in our Great State we endorse passage of Senate Bill 0017. Representatives of our organization have testified in favor of previous legislation that would make it a must-appear situation when an individual has been killed or maimed in a motor vehicle accident. We feel that serious bodily injury and especially death from a motor vehicle accident should be added to the list of infractions that currently mandate a court appearance. The ability of a citizen to attend court proceedings and actually see the party or parties involved in the loss or disfigurement of their loved ones and family members is a fundamental right. We respectfully request a favorable report and vote from the committee for SB 0017.

Bob Spanburgh 01/13/2021