If the bill passes, it would create the new weight class and instruct state and local law enforcement agencies to index their traffic violation fines to match the weight class of the offending vehicle.<\/p>\n
I spoke with Representative Bailey last week, and he explained his reasoning behind the bill. \u201cIt\u2019s your basic physics equation,\u201d he said. \u201cForce equals mass times velocity, squared.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe currently regulate vehicles based on velocity,\u201d Bailey explained, \u201cbut not mass. You can do a lot more damage the faster you\u2019re going, and the fines reflect that. But heavier vehicles do much more damage than lighter ones. The fine in Oregon for rolling through a stop sign \u2014 no matter how slowly \u2014 is $242 for a bicycle or a heavy truck. This law would change that.\u201d If the bill passes, it would create the new weight class and instruct state and local law enforcement agencies to index their traffic violation fines to match the weight class of the offending vehicle. I spoke with Representative Bailey last week, and he explained his reasoning behind the bill. \u201cIt\u2019s your basic physics equation,\u201d he … <\/p>\n
\n
\nhttps:\/\/bikeportland.org\/2009\/02\/20\/state-rep-wants-traffic-fines-based-on-vehicle-weight\/<\/a>oldId.20090220180559319<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"