Legislative - ABATE of Florida, Southwest Chapter

ABATE of Florida, Southwest Chapter

LEGISLATION & FLORIDA LAWS

August Legislative Report - Ken Miller, aka "TEDDY BEAR"
Protect Your Rights to Ride!

Throughout history, there have been some very critical issues that have been decided by a single vote. Anyone in Florida, or even across the nation, saw how critical getting out to VOTE can be in the last Presidential election. Members of ABATE know how important voting is as we have been on both the winning and losing side of a single VOTE making the difference about whether a bill passed or failed. Click here to for Legislative Addresses, emails and contact information.

It is imperative that motorcyclists in Florida gets out to VOTE to help make sure that any fresh faces who are elected to the Florida legislature already know who we are and what we want before they make it to Tallahassee. This is the easiest time in the world for us to make new friends. These people need votes to get elected. People elected to office will already be a friend if we get involved and help them get elected. ABATE of Florida, Inc. provides an automatic email service that provides info on your elected State and Federal officials. Subscribe here.

You can find out everything and more at the Department of State, Division of Elections site.

Print an application to Register to VOTE

To get involved in motorcycle crash prevention or to find out more about the Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Programs being offered, contact ABATE of Florida, Inc. at P.O. Box 2520, DeLand, Florida, 32721 or visit www.abateflorida.com.

New Laws for Motorcycle Licensure Take Affect July

Date: 06/27/2008

Basic Rider Course now required for all motorcycle endorsement

Starting July 1, new motorcyclists must take and pass the Basic Rider Course through the Florida Rider Trainer Program before they can have the motorcycle endorsement added to their license, per Section 322.12(5)(a)., Florida Statutes.

After July 1 of this year, everyone will have to take the class and pass the test, no matter their age. Future motorcyclists will be able to find a Basic Rider Course sponsor or teacher on our website. Upon successful completion, the sponsor will submit the pass results electronically to the department records. Upon receiving the results, the applicant will be processed for a motorcycle endorsement.

The Department’s Florida Rider Training Program has a wealth of information on motorcycle safety and proper licensure. For more information, check out www.flhsmv.gov. Also information on where to find approved sponsors who teach the course can be found here.

Please note that anyone driving a motorcycle without an endorsement is violating the law, today.

FAQ

What if I had completed the tests before July 1 and did not get the endorsement by that date? Will my waiver from a third party tester be honored?

Yes. As long as the tests have been successfully completed, you can still get the endorsement up to 1 year from the date of the waiver.

What happens if I had a motorcycle permit from a DL office prior to July 1 but did not complete my tests?

You have to take the Basic Rider Course before securing your endorsement.

What if I have completed the Experienced Rider Course but did not secure my endorsement before July 1, 2008?

You still have to take the Basic Rider Course before you can secure the endorsement and be legal to drive a motorcycle.

FLORIDA ABATE ANALYZES ACCIDENT
Motorcycles are smaller and can easily be lost in blind spots of larger vehicles. Drivers need to be aware of the presence of all vehicles in their vicinity and give motorcycles their full lane of travel. Perception of the speed that a motorcycle is traveling is often misjudged and failure to yield the right-of-way is sighted as the cause in a significant number of motorcycle versus automobile crashes. Statistical reports, no matter how reliable the source, will not stop the motorcycle helmet usage debate, however, the real issue is crash prevention.

Handlebars	Headlights
Turn Signals	Tail Lights
Brakes	Windshield
Exhaust	Mirrors