We Are Doing Something

Reprinted from the October 2010 issue of "Hoosier Motorcyclist" Magazine

It is difficult to discuss the tragic situation of August 6th involving an IMPD squad car and two motorcycles without feeling overwhelming emotions of sadness, anger and helplessness. Difficult because a motorcyclist is dead and his family, along with two seriously injured riders, a friend that witnessed the incident and the entire motorcycling community have suffered a loss. It is also difficult to discuss without sounding as though you may be taking sides. Some that have been passionate in expressing their outrage have been referred to as overly zealous. Conversely, even from within our family, some have accused people who are reluctant to "protest" of being complacent or soft. In cases as screwed up as this one is, there will be differing opinions of how to react. The thing that we, as the motorcycling community, need to avoid is having either "side" point fingers at the other. Neither response is truly right or wrong and different people have different ways of coping with situations, especially one that is as emotionally charged as this.

The facts are that this was a senseless tragedy and that the preliminary aspects of the investigation were botched. Everyone agrees on those two points. Beyond that, there is no clear cut, unanimous, absolute plan of how to proceed.

Of course we as a community are supportive of the motorcyclists and their families. Of course we want to see that justice is served. Of course we are outraged that such an incident even occurred, wherein a public safety official, impaired or not, would cause a crash of this severity. Of course we have questions.

Some people feel that ABATE of Indiana should be more vocal in our concern regarding this case. Rest assured that ABATE of Indiana was actively involved within moments of this tragedy, and will remain so until this issue is resolved. We were in contact with IMPD the very afternoon of the crash. We have countless hours invested and have engaged in many conversations, e-mails and meetings with legislators, law enforcement, administration and elected officials. We have addressed the media and have been quoted in print and on the radio. It appears that our television interviews were not controversial enough to sensationalize the events surrounding this issue as I am unaware of any of them being aired. The general public, especially in central Indiana, has been inundated with coverage of this case non-stop. It has been the lead story on virtually every Indianapolis TV station at each broadcast since the crash occurred. Everyone, I repeat everyone, knows that motorcyclists, including ABATE of Indiana, are incensed by this situation and will not let the subject drop. ABATE’s position is no secret, however there is no need to exploit that since the message is being delivered.  

Regrettably, there’s not a lot we can do to change what has already happened. Despite that, we continue to work with all parties involved in an effort to see that justice is served to the fullest extent possible. We have been evaluating how this may factor into potential right-of-way legislation that we have attempted to have heard by the Indiana General Assembly in the past. Additional procedural and administrative changes are likely as well and ABATE expects to continue to have input.

Please be clear on this, we are not telling, and will not tell, our members what they can and cannot do. We will ask that you take a deep breath and count to ten as we all work together to find the most positive resolution possible to this tragic situation and prevent a repeat in the future. This will not be over soon and ABATE of Indiana will be there until the end.

Ride Safe, Ride Free,
Jay Jackson
Executive Director
ABATE of Indiana, Inc.