UPDATE ON - OK REP WESSELHOLFT TO INTRODUCE NO CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING

Hello, Folks--

I just got off the phone after having a pleasant, half-hour conversation with Rep. Wesselhoft about the naming of the Cell Phone Bill. He has committed already to including Brittanie Montgomery in the bill's title, and can't go back on it because he's made a promise to her grieving family (Brittanie was a native Oklahoman who was one of the NBA "Honey Bee" dancers for the Hornets when they were playing in OKC). I then took the opportunity to state my case for including Jeff Smith in the bill and gave him Jeff's biographical sketch as well as an accounting of the tragic wreck which caused Jeff's death. Rep. Wesselhoft was deeply touched, and I suggested the compromise of naming the bill in BOTH Brittanie's and Jeff's memory. I laid out that addressing both victims would emphasize the dangers of Distracted Driving to drivers in their own cars (i.e. driving while text-messaging) and to others on the Road they Share (like what happened to Jeff Smith). This broad cross-section of multiple threats to the Motoring Public from drivers distracted by Cell Phones, if presented to the Legislature, might increase the bill's chance of passage next year.

As the result of our conversation, Rep. Wesselhoft is COMMITTED to pursuing what will be named the "Brittanie Montgomery/Jeffrey Smith Law", and he asked me to notify ABATE and our Motorcycling Community of this. I also suggested he contact Sen. Owen Laughlin about being the primary Senate author, since he represents the Senate District Jeff was from (the Gage-Woodward-Panhandle area). Additionally, I gave him the Feb. 19 date of our ABATE Legislative Breakfast, and he's looking forward to attending. When the bill goes into committee, a representative of the National Transportation Safety Board is supposed to testify, as well as members of the Montgomery Family. Maybe we can get Sawaya, Jeff's widow, as well as Ralph Branham (American Legion Riders Post #1340 Commander, who was wrecked in Yukon by a driver who blew through a Red Light while yakking on a cell phone) and others from our Riding Family to defend the bill in committee also.

I feel this is the best compromise we could achieve under the circumstances, and I hope this makes some of our membership feel better about this situation. Maybe I should've mentioned Jeff Smith's name and his associated tragedy when Wesselhoft first e-mailed me--I apologize for that. I guess I'm getting old and not paying enough attention to detail. At least his name WILL be on the bill now, and we can press forward from here. Well, that'll do it for now--please contact me if you have any questions.

Have a good weekend and Ride Safely,
Tiger Mike

Dear Rep. Wesselhoft--

Hope this finds you well and enjoying your Summer. I just saw on the Channel 4 News this evening that you intend to pursue legislation prohibiting hand-held Cell Phone use while driving. I wanted to let you know that you have the full support of ABATE of Oklahoma and Oklahoma's Motorcycling Community in this endeavor, and if there's anything we can do to advance your efforts, please let us know. We've had several of our riders, including my American Legion Post Commander, grievously injured or even killed in the recent past by inattentive drivers yakking on cell phones and not paying attention to their primary responsibility, namely Safe Driving! ABATE has supported similar bills over the past two Sessions, only to see them die in committee. Maybe, in the 2008 Session, the Third Time will prove the charm! There is an old saying among Bikers: "I'm sick and tired of my Brothers and Sisters having to die for America's Right to Drive Stupidly!", and we feel prohibition of hand-held cell Phones in motor vehicles will directly contribute to a reduction in deaths and injuries among motorists in general, and particularly among our victimized motorcyclists and trikers! Thanks for stepping up to introduce this legislation, and please keep in touch with us as to what our Riding Community can do to help.

Yours in Freedom,
Tiger Mike Revere
State Coordinator,
ABATE of Oklahoma, Inc.
405-672-1008 (H/FAX)
405-596-1072 (C)