Virginia Outlaws Motorcycle Only Checkpoints
Virginia is latest state to ban "motorcycle only" checkpoints.
On Feb. 28, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law H.B. 187,
which was introduced by Delegate C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah). The new
law, which takes effect July 1, prohibits law enforcement agencies from
establishing checkpoints where the only vehicles subject to inspection
are motorcycles.
The measure was introduced after the Arlington County Police
Department set up a motorcycle-only checkpoint during the Rolling
Thunder ride on May 28, 2011, that brings awareness to prisoner of
war/missing in action (POW/MIA) issues.
Similar laws have been enacted in New Hampshire and North Carolina.
“Officials say they set up these motorcycle-only checkpoints to pull over motorcyclists to check for safety violations,” said Rick Podliska, a Virginia resident and AMA deputy director of government relations. “But
if officials are really concerned about motorcyclists’ safety, then
they need to stop discriminating against us with these checkpoints and
start supporting programs that prevent motorcycle crashes, such as rider
safety training and driver awareness programs.”
