February 2011 Update please read paragraphs below.

February 10, 2008. Christopher Burkes, aka Goose, an American Legion Rider and US Army veteran, died after being struck by a left turning mini van at Seneca/Harry in Wichita.

Gary Kroeker was killed by a teenage pickup driver who turned in front of him on Hiway 254 on November 8, 2006.   

Gary Kroeker.  8/20/1951-11/8/2006. 

Gary Kroeker.  8/20/1951-11/8/2006. 

Kevin McVeigh: Kevin was killed on March 16, 2006 at 37th and Meridian.  Kevin's killer was found guilty of a right of way violation on May 15 and fined $50 plus $47.50 in court costs.

Rest in Peace, Kevin.

80 PERCENT of motorcyclists killed in 2006 just in the Wichita area were the victims of Right of Way Violations. People turning in front of us, telling the officer, "I didn't see the motorcyclist". 

That is ridiculous.  They were not LOOKING for the motorcyclist.  They were on their cell phones, playing with music, eating, etc., and looking only for cars.  It is TIME we fought back.

16 states (Arkansas, California, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine,
Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin) have recently passed increased ROW violations laws, and legislation is pending in 4 others.  (Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey and Ohio.)It is time Kansas became one of those states to substantially fine drivers who are murdering motorcyclists due to failure to yield the right of way.

We are proposing substantial fines, mandatory jail time, loss of license as well as encouraging the victims' families to file wrongful death lawsuits. Right now, the maximum fine for a right of way violation is $110. The State is telling drivers it is ok to kill a motorcyclist as long as you pay the $110. It is time we stood up and told the motoring public that WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE. 

We will be naming this effort KEVIN'S LAW, in memory and honor of ABATE member Kevin McVeigh who was run down in March.  His killer was fined $50. We have permission from his family to use Kevin's name in this effort.

Aaron J. Breitenbach, Assistant District Attorney stated in an email that Kevin's killer, "...should not have made the turn.  Her poor choice may have been negligent, but was not criminal."

There we have it. It is NOT CRIMINAL to kill someone in Kansas if you turn in front of them. That is the law we are going to change!  Contact your legislator NOW and ask them to support this very important legislation!

For more information, please email to info@ksabate8.org. We will respond to you.

Bill number HB2199 has been introduced, February 2011.  It is critical that people call their legislators asking them to support enhanced penalties for right of way violations.  Update, March 2011.  HB2199 did not get out of committee, will be reintroduced in the 2012 session.
 

To find your legislator, go to www.kansas.gov and follow the links to find your legislator. Or, copy and paste: http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-legisportal/redistricting.do. 

We need all the help we can get!  This is not solely a motorcycling issue, so have your family, friends, co workers, neighbors, anyone and everyone you know call your legislators!  Ask them to support HB 2199!!

Remember, last session, the legislature passed a law banning texting while driving, even though they had no factual numbers of deaths/accidents caused by texting.  We know that an average of 57 people a year die by right of way violations.  PLEASE call your legislator TODAY!!!