Trooper clocks motorcycle at 152 mph on two-lane highway

[The Seeker]

[size=14pt]Trooper clocks motorcycle at 152 mph on two-lane highway[/size]

GOLDENDALE, Wash. - A Vancouver, Wash., motorcyclist was clocked doing an incredible 152 mph when he blew past a state trooper on a winding, two-lane highway near the Oregon border.

The trooper said he was working a stretch of Highway 14 near Maryhill on Sunday afternoon when he spotted the motorcyclist barreling toward him at high speed in the opposite lane.

The trooper quickly took two radar readings of 152 mph from his forward-facing radar, and a third reading of 151 mph from his rear-facing radar after the motorcyclist zoomed past him.

The speed limit in the area is 60 mph.

The trooper did a U-turn, and pulled the motorcycle over. The motorcyclist was later identified as Matthew M. Jackson, 39, of Vancouver, who was riding a 2008 Kawasaki ZX1400 motorcycle.

When the trooper asked Jackson if he knew how fast he was going, Jackson said, "No idea. I just opened it up."

The trooper explained the potentially deadly result of hitting a deer or running into rocks at that speed, and it appeared Jackson understood the seriousness of the situation, the trooper said.

Jackson was issued a $411 speeding citation.

The Washington State Patrol says high speed is one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatality collisions -along with driving while intoxicated.

"Eighty percent of fatal motorcycle collisions are now the fault of the rider," said State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste. "Half of fatal collisions don't even involve a second vehicle."

 

[Geoff587]

That could have been a 3 month prison sentence here in the UK, though this punishment is solely for speeding bikers. Car drivers get a fine and a ban . Not that there is a anti biking movement amongst the authorities.
In no way do I condone triple figure speeding but apply the law evenly across the board. Prison for speeding when drug dealers and thieves get a slapped wrist seems a bit biased .

 

[The Seeker]

I wonder if this article is telling the whole story or not? $411 fine seems like a rather easy punishment.

But here in the USA, each State has their own system when it comes to driving offenses.

Off the top of my head, I believe that would have resulted in a higher fine AND a mandatory suspension of driving privileges for a certain amount of time (like a YEAR).

 

[CarlS]

In Florida it would have been an automatic reckless driving, willful and wanton, charge which is a criminal offense, not a traffic offense.

 

[The Seeker]

[quote author=CarlS link=topic=9513.msg47125#msg47125 date=1276480411]
In Florida it would have been an automatic reckless driving, willful and wanton, charge which is a criminal offense, not a traffic offense.
[/quote]

Yeah...I think Pennsylvania would hit him with the reckless driving one too. But I'd say he'd lose his license for a bit and pay a hefty fine in the end.

What's "willful and wanton" in Florida pertaining to speeding though? Just curious???


On a personal note- I was riding with a guy once that ran 4 red lights while being clocked at 95 MPH in a 30 MPH zone!!! I mean hey, we did dumb things as teenagers. It was more important to see what his 65 Mustang 289 HiPo GT could do wasn't it???

 

[CarlS]

Reckless driving willful and wanton is an offense where one may be exceeding the speed limit by 15 mph+, driving fast in fog or rain, cutting in and out of traffic in a dangerous manner, etc. It carries 4 points on a drivers license plus the points of speeding, causing and accident, etc. And is a criminal offense. A reckless driving charge usually results in a total 7 points. It is a deliberate, calculated act disregarding public safety.

Careless driving is a lesser charge with a 3 point penalty - drifting over the line, hitting a guard rail or some other object. Talking on a cell phone and hitting a power pole where no other traffic law was violated would result in a careless driving charge.

 

[The Seeker]

OK...I get it now. Thanks.

 

[Simmer]

Well if you have ever been in that area, you need something to keep you awake, especially in the Tricities area.

Dave

 

[CarlS]

I was riding in that area two days ago. I had a good ride.

 

[The Seeker]

Good thing that same cop wasn't clocking when you rode Carl....I'm sure you rarely slowed to under 170 MPH for corners.

 

[CarlS]

That's right - and on a Speedmaster, too! :y114:

 

[Glenn]

In NC that would have meant a loss of license for a period of time, a hugh fine, as well as a lot of money to get the license back plus insurance premiums will be sky high for 3 years.

 

[CarlS]

The same in Florida. You would have to take MSF course to get your motorcycle endorsement back.