NomadRip
04-30-2008, 09:17 PM
State Could Put the Brakes on Out of Control Bikers
By David Martin
FOX 35 NEWS
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) -- Next time a sport biker pops a wheelie down I-4, he could wind up in prison if he’s caught.
With a stroke of Governor Charlie Crist's pen, Florida would clamp down on out of control bikers.
Currently, if a high-performance biker gets caught breaking the speed limit by more than 50 mph or performing tricks on the road, it's a $250 fine.
If the governor signs a new bill now before him that first time offense ticket goes to $1,000.
A second offense, $2500.
A third time, $5,000, up to five years in prison, and losing a motorcycle license for a decade.
Stiff, yes. But is it effective?
Some are saying it could make the problem worse.
Now they're going to run even more because now there's more consequence.,” said Kris Metts, sports biker. ”The reality is, you're not going to get caught on one of these machines.”
Metts also fears police could confuse tricks with controlling the bike.
“There are instances when you might pull the front wheel off the ground on accident.” Metts said. “You know, a quick shift if your merging into traffic. And if a cop sees that, and the law is vague, you just got yourself a $1000 ticket.”
.
The bill passed the house last week, the senate Tuesday.
All that's left is the governor's signature.
By David Martin
FOX 35 NEWS
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) -- Next time a sport biker pops a wheelie down I-4, he could wind up in prison if he’s caught.
With a stroke of Governor Charlie Crist's pen, Florida would clamp down on out of control bikers.
Currently, if a high-performance biker gets caught breaking the speed limit by more than 50 mph or performing tricks on the road, it's a $250 fine.
If the governor signs a new bill now before him that first time offense ticket goes to $1,000.
A second offense, $2500.
A third time, $5,000, up to five years in prison, and losing a motorcycle license for a decade.
Stiff, yes. But is it effective?
Some are saying it could make the problem worse.
Now they're going to run even more because now there's more consequence.,” said Kris Metts, sports biker. ”The reality is, you're not going to get caught on one of these machines.”
Metts also fears police could confuse tricks with controlling the bike.
“There are instances when you might pull the front wheel off the ground on accident.” Metts said. “You know, a quick shift if your merging into traffic. And if a cop sees that, and the law is vague, you just got yourself a $1000 ticket.”
.
The bill passed the house last week, the senate Tuesday.
All that's left is the governor's signature.