The Georgia Department of Public Safety has begun implementing motorcycle safety checkpoints, as part of a program in an effort to prevent motorcycle accidents. Some of the most serious injuries and deaths often result from motorcycle accidents. Although motorcycles certainly need to be well maintained, these accidents are more often caused by drivers of cars who are not watching out for motorcycles. It would probably be more effective use of resources if the Department used their limited resources to commence a campaign to educate drivers to watch out for motorcycles and bicycles.
As part of the campaign that is being launched, the Georgia Department of Public Safety will conduct a total of six motorcycle checkpoints between 1 March 2011 and December 31, 2012.The first checkpoint of 2011 was held earlier this month along Interstate 75 and along Interstate 95.Motorcyclists traveling along any of the highways that have been marked for checkpoints will find signs that require them to exit at an inspection station.
The campaign is being funded by a $70,000 grant by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Officers will be specifically looking to see if motorcycle drivers have licenses, and if they’re wearing helmets.They will also be checking to see that motorcycles are in good operating condition, and will specifically be looking out for bad tires, broken or malfunctioning headlights and tail lights.According to the Department of Public Safety, the checkpoints won’t be a major hindrance, and the average motorcyclist who is riding with a proper license, and is helmeted, will find that the delay lasts just about a minute.
The motorcycling community in Georgia has been displeased about these controversial motorcycle-only checkpoints, calling them biased.As an Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer I would like to see more initiatives that target motorists and their need for greater awareness about motorcyclist rights.The money could have been better spent on education and awareness campaigns and crackdowns on motorists who fail to yield to motorcyclists.