AMA Praises Iowa's New "Justice for All" Law
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)
has announced that Iowa has enacted a law supporting the goals of the
AMA's "Justice for All" campaign, increasing penalties for drivers who
injure or kill others as a result of traffic violations and adding
motorcycle- and bicycle-awareness information to the state's
driver-training curriculum.
AMA members joined ABATE of Iowa in lobbying for the law, which was
signed by Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack just a day after a similar law was
signed by West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin.
The Iowa law adds a fine of $500 or a driver's-license suspension of up
to 90 days, or both, for traffic violations that result in serious
injury. If a driver causes a death, penalties increase to $1,000 or a
license suspension of up to 180 days, or both. These penalties can be
imposed in addition to any other fines.
"This is exactly the kind of law the AMA aims to see passed in all 50
states as part of Justice for All," said AMA Legislative Affairs
Specialist Imre Szauter. "All Iowa motorcyclists who worked to get this
law approved deserve a lot of credit for bringing justice and awareness
to their state."
Responding to the disturbing nationwide trend of inadequate sentences
for motorists who kill or seriously injure other motorists, the AMA
launched Justice for All in 2004. The campaign's goals include
increasing each state's penalties for violations that result in serious
injury or death, as well as incorporating motorcycle-awareness modules
in driver-education classes.
Iowa and West Virginia join seven other states in passing legislation
that supports the goals of Justice for All: Arkansas, Maine, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.
For more information about the AMA's Justice for All campaign, visit www.AMADirectlink.com/justice.
