12-19-2011;
Last week Tom McGrath defended two motorcyclists who were charged with riding two abreast. For those who were not on the distribution list when this story first ran, it is considered reckless driving in Virginia for two motorcycles to ride next to each other in the same lane. In 48 of the 50 states it is perfectly legal. Only Vermont and Virginia make it illegal and only Virginia makes it punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine and a loss of your operator’s license. In this case the two riders, one of whom has a commercial driver’s license, pulled up next to each other at a stop light in Crewe , Virginia . When the light turned green they started off together and then separated shortly thereafter. Because of the short distance traveled side-by-side, the judge felt that he had no choice but to find the evidence sufficient to convict both of reckless driving. However, upon being informed that this year there will be a bill before the General Assembly to repeal this prohibition, the judge agreed to continue the disposition until after the General Assembly session. Hopefully we will be successful.
Last week Tom McGrath defended two motorcyclists who were charged with riding two abreast. For those who were not on the distribution list when this story first ran, it is considered reckless driving in Virginia for two motorcycles to ride next to each other in the same lane. In 48 of the 50 states it is perfectly legal. Only Vermont and Virginia make it illegal and only Virginia makes it punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine and a loss of your operator’s license. In this case the two riders, one of whom has a commercial driver’s license, pulled up next to each other at a stop light in Crewe , Virginia . When the light turned green they started off together and then separated shortly thereafter. Because of the short distance traveled side-by-side, the judge felt that he had no choice but to find the evidence sufficient to convict both of reckless driving. However, upon being informed that this year there will be a bill before the General Assembly to repeal this prohibition, the judge agreed to continue the disposition until after the General Assembly session. Hopefully we will be successful.
Two weeks ago Jim Cannon and I drove up to Harrisonburg to meet with Delegate Tony Wilt about this issue. He is the Delegate for the Harrisonburg area and is a rider himself. I am happy to report that Delegate Wilt has graciously and enthusiastically agreed to carry a bill to amend the Code of Virginia to allow two motorcycles to travel abreast in the same lane. Being that there is absolutely no data from the 48 states which allow this practice to show that it is causing accidents, it does not seem appropriate to hang a reckless driving conviction around a law abiding citizen’s neck for an act that is not reckless. If you would like to thank Delegate Wilt for carrying this legislation for us he can be reached at DelTWilt@house.virginia.gov
