PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. (WUSA) -- The search continues for a motorcyclist who may have played a role in the death of a Maryland State Trooper. His death puts a new focus on so-called "rocket bikes" and the split-second decision officers make on whether to pursue them or not.
Trooper Shaft Hunter, a father of six, was killed on southbound I-95 May 21 at 3 a.m., apparently in pursuit of a rocket bike.
Rocket bikes top speeds 150 to 180 mph. They are often seen in traffic, pulling hair-raising stunts. Many motorcyclists post their exploits on YouTube with helmet mounted cameras. Some of them crash in the process.
For state police, stopping a rocket bike is not a clear cut decision. But Greg Shipley of the Maryland State Police says the call rests with individual troopers.
Meanwhile, tag numbers can be nearly impossible to see. The latest fad is tucking them deep in the wheelwell at an odd angle, unlit, or displayed vertically. It's technically illegal, but it turns into catch-me-if-you-can pursuits, like one caught on tape in Texas, which are sometimes fatal to the biker, or like the one in Maryland early Saturday, that turned deadly for the officer just trying to do his job.
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12 comments:
I do not feel these persuits should be done. It places EVERYONE at mortal risk: the police, the biker (who will go faster), and innocent people on the highway. It is bad enough that life is lost in either case. But think about the cost to vehicles, other damage, liability and life insurance that our state pays to someone who is breaking the law, sometimes over 90-100 mph)diving above the posted speed limits. It should be illegal for LEO's to travel about 70 mph in any case (use the radio!). This will save lives for everyone involved.
rest in peace Officer Hunter
Crotch Rockets should not be licensed.
its not the bike, its the rider
Anon 12:56: They shouldn't be allowed on the road or have the ability to go that fast in the first place. Maryland State Police, please watch the area of the 13 by-pass between Johnson Rd. & Snow Hill Rd. this weekend and bring extra rolls of printing tape for all the tickets you can print out.
It is not fair to ban rocket bikes due to the stupidity of a few. As the article said, it is up to the TROOPER to decided whether to pursue or not. I am definitely not saying the biker is faultless, in fact if they are ever caught they should be charged with manslaughter at the least; however, that trooper should not have pursued the driver once speeds exceeded a certain amount. RIP to the trooper for being an excellent officer killed in the line of duty.
that trooper should not have pursued the driver once speeds exceeded a certain amount
and he may still be alive if he did so. However, hindsight and all that.
Just about EVERY rocket bike, crotch rocker or whatever you call them guns it on the open road. Weaving through traffic at high speeds. Passing in between cars. Passing on the shoulder. South RT 13 from Centre RD to the Princess Anne on the bypass is a race track for them.
Who in the hell refers to them as "rocket bikes"? Are these the same brainiacs who can't hit a target the size of a barn without pumping out a few clips? I understand the dilemma, it's the same that has been going on since motorcycles took root decades ago. No reason to ban them due to a few idiots.
An extra tax levied on on all "rocket bikes" at the time of purchase or tagging them could discourage a lot of young inexperienced riders from purchasing them. I'm not talking about single digits percentages either. A flat tax rate of $1000 or more could discourage a lot of these guys from buying the bikes.
As to whether or not to pursue the bikes or not - If you make it a blanket policy that officers are not allowed to pursue these bikes at high speeds it won't take long for word to get out that the cops and deputies can't chase them. Then none of them will stop for traffic violations anymore, and they'll basically be able to run wild and do what they want. The tags on these bikes are very small and are usually strategically placed to make it very difficult to read the tag anyway, so "use the radio" won't do much good because the next officer that seems them down the road probably won't be able to catch them either. Can't use spike strips on them because the bikes will lose control and seriously injure the rider (oh well -shouldn't have run) or others in the area. So my suggestion is tax them. Tax them so hard it hurts at the time of purchase and getting it inspected and tagged. Make it expensive enough and they won't be able to afford the bikes.
10:16 what your saying punishes those riders that just want to have a good time. The responsible ones. It is not fair to tax all because of a few who you think are going to be "boneheaded." If they want to be able to chase the bikes troopers should have the option; however, they should also know (common sense) a degree of danger is involved. As far as the tags go, make them bigger. Make them so they cannot be adjusted and strategically placed to make it hard to read the number.
Here is a thought. Have manufacturers intigrate remote kill switches in them so that they can be shut down remotely. Sure, the initial cost would be an extra $200-$300 per bike, but this could alieviate the problem.
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