Random Insurance Check?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 5
Thats f-ing sucks. That means you can get pulled over for doing nothing wrong. Then if you had a beer at the local watering hole you get a DUI for doing the all th right things like driving the speed limit, using your turn signal, not wearing a helmet (which is legal in TX) and you end up getting into hot water for not having enough HEALTH insurance cuz you dont have a sticker on your tag that says so. WTF
I would gladly risk an occasional stop and check for the freedom of riding without a lid is this freakin' backwoods country state.
I got checked last year after having lunch and three beers. Only blew 0.02. Gave him smile, rode away....
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Thats bullsh1t, He was digging for something else, You know the biker stereo type, outlaw with a long list of felonies and wanted in 10 states....
Once he pulled you over you were going to get a ticket for something, just because he was nice, don't mean he's wasn't a DICK!!!!!
Once he pulled you over you were going to get a ticket for something, just because he was nice, don't mean he's wasn't a DICK!!!!!
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Saratoga Springs, NY
So here is a little update.
I filed an official complaint with APD. They did a very good job listening to my story and made contact with me three times over the last week to keep me updated. Bottom line is that the officers sergeant called me and he was able to get my ticket dropped. Which is good since now I will not need to take off from work and go to traffic court. The sergeant apologized for the error and told me that he had advised all the officers of the correct interpretation of the helmet law.
I asked him about the random stops for insurance check and he told me that was allowed given Texas has a motorcycle helmet law that requires exemptions in order to ride without a helmet. So they can stop you anytime just to check that you meet the exemptions. (Safety Class or Health Insurance)
He also told me that for two weeks during the time I was ticketed that APD was running a motorcycle safety program. In this time the officers were instructed to stop all riders riding without a helmet. The reason for the safety program was the recent increase in new ridership. He told me that during that two week period that less than 25% of those stopped were in compliance with the motorcycle laws. Things like no motorcycle license, no helmet and no exemption, no bike insurance, etc
So with those statistics bikers in the Austin area can expect to be stopped more often for random checks. I personally will be getting a helmet exemption sticker from TXDPS.
I filed an official complaint with APD. They did a very good job listening to my story and made contact with me three times over the last week to keep me updated. Bottom line is that the officers sergeant called me and he was able to get my ticket dropped. Which is good since now I will not need to take off from work and go to traffic court. The sergeant apologized for the error and told me that he had advised all the officers of the correct interpretation of the helmet law.
I asked him about the random stops for insurance check and he told me that was allowed given Texas has a motorcycle helmet law that requires exemptions in order to ride without a helmet. So they can stop you anytime just to check that you meet the exemptions. (Safety Class or Health Insurance)
He also told me that for two weeks during the time I was ticketed that APD was running a motorcycle safety program. In this time the officers were instructed to stop all riders riding without a helmet. The reason for the safety program was the recent increase in new ridership. He told me that during that two week period that less than 25% of those stopped were in compliance with the motorcycle laws. Things like no motorcycle license, no helmet and no exemption, no bike insurance, etc
So with those statistics bikers in the Austin area can expect to be stopped more often for random checks. I personally will be getting a helmet exemption sticker from TXDPS.
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