First, the article brings up how S.B. 1967 took away the minimum insurance requirements, however it failed to mention that the helment has now become a secondary offense, i.e. an officer can no longer pull you over for not wearing a helmet. They must stop a rider for a primary offense like speeding. Then they may check the status of your helmet and whether or not you have met the requirements to be without one.
Second, the money raised through the fees paid by riders to get their Class M license will be put into a 402(b) fund to be used for motorcycle safety awareness and training only.
Third, this law adds a hit to the pocketbook with heavy fines if you violate the right-of-way of a rider and cause injury or death by adding a $500 minimum fine for injuring a person in the accident and a $100 minimum for causing death in a right-of-way violation accident.
A simple tip: look twice, save a life. Motorcyclists are everywhere. It is not mandated that motorcycle awareness be taught in drivers education classes.
Remember, motorcycles are all around you, and if you see them, you will see everything else that is around you on the roads. Drive aware. Too many people are killed every year on Texas roads due to careless mistakes made by people, so please remember safety on the road is no accident. It starts with you and me, and if we all work together then the saftey of Texas roads will improve.
