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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Move To Outlaw Vehicle Surfing And Photography |
| 2008-12-26 |
| (Arizona) - A veteran state lawmaker is hoping the threat of losing a driver's license gives teens a reason not to engage in the hazardous stunt of "vehicle surfing." The proposal by Rep. Bill Konopnicki, R-Safford, would make it illegal to stand on or hang onto a moving vehicle. Violators would be subject not only to a $500 fine but would automatically lose their license for two years. That same penalty would apply to the driver of the vehicle. But HB1003 goes even a step beyond that: It also would make it a crime for anyone to photograph, videotape or digitally record the event. He said these people are just as guilty of creating the hazard because they are part of a scheme to eventually upload the scene to YouTube, the popular site where people can post videos of their activities for all to see. Konopnicki said if no one were taping the "surfing," many teens would not try the stunt. That also was the assessment of Mike Teleff, spokesman for the Peoria Police Department. His agency investigated an incident in September in which a 16-year-old girl was injured after she fell off the hood of a friend's moving car and ended up being run over. Firefighters had to use air bags to lift the Ford Taurus off the girl. While no one was videotaping that incident, Teleff said that may be more the exception than the norm. "A lot of times that's why they're doing it, to put it up on YouTube," he said. Teleff said extending the liability to the photographer is "a perfect thing to do." A search of YouTube on Wednesday found more than 100 videos from across the country of people trying to vehicle surf. As worded, it also would make criminals out of news photographers, TV videographers and even anyone on the street who just happened to see and record the event. Konopnicki said that isn't what he intends. "Obviously, we're going to have to amend it and fix it," he said. Teleff said the legislation "fills a gap" in the law. He said the police officer who investigated the September incident is preparing to cite the motorist for reckless driving. But Teleff said it's still unclear what laws, if any, the surfing teen broke. "It's kind of dicey how you handle the passenger," he said, as the reckless driving law specifically deals with how people operate a motor vehicle. Konopnicki said this measure would not make it illegal for individuals to ride in the open bed of pickup trucks. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #16 Maybe because the rest of us end up picking up the medical bills for failed attempts. Except we pay just as much in legal fees and processes that further bog down our DAs and other prosecutors who are already making plea bargains in dealing with rape, murder, and robbery because both their offices and the courts are stuffed to the gills. You make it a civil matter with the effected medical service provider [which in most cases will be the city/county/state] able to administratively collect on charges against the family or estate. |
| Posted by: P2k on holiday 2008-12-26 18:05 |
| #15 Aren't they supposed to wear helmets? |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-12-26 17:57 |
| #14 Not insured? No liability, it's in the hands of the operator, insh-allan. |
| Posted by: rhodesiafever 2008-12-26 16:04 |
| #13 Not insured? No liability, it's in the hands of the operator, insh-allan. |
| Posted by: rhodesiafever 2008-12-26 16:03 |
| #12 Methinks the "surfers" may have a bit too much chlorine in their end of the gene pool. |
| Posted by: WolfDog 2008-12-26 13:24 |
| #11 Maybe because the rest of us end up picking up the medical bills for failed attempts. And because sometimes the drivers swerve and innocent others get injured or killed. Just a guess. It's a bit like the motorcycle helmet issue only these are teens. With adults, I'd be happy to have them sign a legally binding waiver of all medical care at my expense or that of my insurance company and then they can drive without helmets to their hearts' content. With teens it's a little more complicated ... |
| Posted by: lotp 2008-12-26 13:21 |
| #10 Why does he even care? |
| Posted by: 3dc 2008-12-26 12:08 |
| #9 Unbelievably stupid. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2008-12-26 11:43 |
| #8 I got the "cure" while dove hunting on the hood of a 1957 chevy. A sudden stop captured my immediate attention. You were not postioned correctly; that's what them two little hood ornament thingys were for; the ones that looked like swept back jet aircraft tails.....Called 'em hood ornamnets, in reality they were anti-skid devices. |
| Posted by: USN,Ret. 2008-12-26 11:35 |
| #7 I got the "cure" while dove hunting on the hood of a 1957 chevy. A sudden stop captured my immediate attention. Serves 'ya right for trying to flush hippies from a moving vehicle. We always jack-lighted 'em. |
| Posted by: .5MT 2008-12-26 11:19 |
| #6 |
| Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC 2008-12-26 10:32 |
| #5 Sorry Jim, but they always have time for that. And it doesn't even take that long ... |
| Posted by: Steve White 2008-12-26 10:13 |
| #4 Let em spend their time trying to do stuff like that. At least they won't have as much time to come up with clever new tax schemes to bleed us dry. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2008-12-26 10:09 |
| #3 Trying to outlaw human stupidity will only triple or quadruple the size of the law library. It won't stop it, but it'll make the lawyers happy. Sorta like wrestling with a pig. |
| Posted by: P2k on holiday 2008-12-26 08:49 |
| #2 I got the "cure" while dove hunting on the hood of a 1957 chevy. A sudden stop captured my immediate attention. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-12-26 08:45 |
| #1 You can't outlaw Survival of the Fittest - eventually the terminally stupid will succeed in exiting the gene pool. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2008-12-26 08:36 |