• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Advertising

Colorado Rider News

Colorado Powersports

 

 

  • Meta_032320
  • RiderJustice032320
  • BikerDown
  • Meta_032320
  • RiderJustice032320
  • BikerDown
  • Current Issue
  • Events
    • Submit Event
  • B.O.B.
    • BOB – Submit Your Business
  • Colorado Riders Care
    • Business Directory
    • Submit Your Business to CRC
    • Event Changes & Cancellations
    • #2Wheels4Meals – Media

Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving

October 31, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Scott O'Sullivan - The O'Sullivan Law Firm, motorcycle accident attorneys
Scott O’Sullivan

In February of 2016, Brian and Jacquie Lehner were riding their Harley-Davidson on Highway 83 near Franktown when an oncoming driver crossed the double-yellow line and hit them head-on. Both of the Lehners were killed. The driver, Athina Munoz, was found by police to be texting while driving, and she was also high on multiple substances.

Susan Dane was friends with the Lehners, having met them through her Harley-Davidson Chapter in Parker.

“The summer after they died, I told our Chapter members, ‘Something good has to come out of this!’” says Susan. “I looked up the penalties for texting and driving in Colorado and discovered that it was only $50 and one point. We were all shocked and realized we had to get that changed.”

Photo from a strategy meeting before the 2018 legislative session.

Dane understood that Colorado’s laws were not strict enough to make anyone change their habits, meaning more people could die due to texting and driving. But she didn’t know how to change laws. She had never been involved in any legislative efforts in her life.

Therefore, Susan and a few of the Lehners’ other friends requested a meeting with George Brauchler, the district attorney who had prosecuted Athina Munoz. 

“He said we had two options to change the law,” says Susan. “Either we could create legislation and try to get it passed through the Colorado legislature, or we could try to get signatures on a petition and get it on the ballot. He told us legislation would probably easier.”

CORD was Born

Knowing this would take an organized, grassroots effort, Susan and several other motorcycle riders founded CORD: Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving.

“My role was to go out and find bills that had been introduced or laws that had passed in other states,” says Susan. “I discovered that there was a bill moving forward in Colorado that year! Senator Lois Court had introduced the bill, so I gathered a bunch of bikers to show up and testify on behalf of the bill.”

Susan laughs a bit when she thinks of that day. “When Senator Court saw us all walk in the room – all these motorcycle riders – she was afraid we’d be against the legislation because bikers are typically against more restrictive laws, such as helmet laws. But then we all started telling our stories and she realized we were on her side.”

CORD and Senator Court worked together to cross party lines and get a bill passed that year. It was a victory but, according to Susan, still not enough.

“It was a small victory,” says Susan. “We got the fines increased but it was a very hard law to enforce. Basically, the only way to get pulled over and ticketed is if you’re texting while driving, and you’re driving carelessly, and a police officer sees you.”

(I also testified at that first public hearing and have been working with CORD and Senator Court to pass stricter texting-while-driving laws.)

Sadly, a stricter bill was quickly killed in 2018. But everyone involved agreed that they had to keep trying in 2019. Their first goal was to expand awareness and support of their efforts.

“We got insurance companies, AAA, C-DOT, the bicycle communities and so many others involved,” says Susan. “So many people want safer roads!”

The 2019 bill made it through the Colorado Senate but was killed in the first House committee it faced.

“The opposition seems to come from a perceived profiling concern, and because not everybody can afford a Bluetooth-enabled car,” says Susan, who explains that she has hard data refuting the profiling concern, and that there are many ways to go hands-free in any car.

“We aren’t going away!” she proclaims, insisting that CORD and many others will be back for the next legislative session to get an impactful, habit-changing law passed.

“In my perfect world, I would like to see a fine of $500 and 4 points for the first offense, escalating from there for each additional offense,” she says. “This is just as bad as drunk driving! As a comparison, we have a $1,000 fine for littering!”

Want Safer Roads? Get Involved!

Susan would love to hear from anyone interested in supporting CORD’s efforts, and she understands how intimidating it can be to join the legislative process.

“It’s an eye opener,” she says. “I’ve never done anything like this before. Social studies was not my cup of tea in school so I’m making up for it now. Honestly, it’s very interesting and I have seen how average people can make a difference.”

If you’d like to follow CORD’s work, visit them on Facebook. You can also email Susan directly: sdane@caresynergynetwork.org

facebook Share on Facebook
Twitter Tweet
Follow Follow us
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share

Filed Under: Legal, Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 11/19, CORD, Legislation, Scott O'Sullivan, Susan Dane

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Colorado Riders Care Initiative

Article Categories

Magazine Articles

Colorado Rider News and Motorcycle Rider News Merge to bring you more updates and events

By Laurie Montoya, Editor, and Publisher Colorado Rider News and Motorcycle … [Read More...] about Colorado Rider News and Motorcycle Rider News Merge to bring you more updates and events

International Motorcycle Shows Announces 2022 schedule

FEBRUARY 14, 2022 BY MOTORCYCLE RIDER NEWS  Santa Monica California … [Read More...] about International Motorcycle Shows Announces 2022 schedule

Preview – 2022 Colorado Motorcycle Expo

Colorado Rider News is proud to host the Expo guide for the 2022 Colorado … [Read More...] about Preview – 2022 Colorado Motorcycle Expo

Heated riding gear in Colorado

JANUARY 25, 2022 BY MOTORCYCLE RIDER NEWS LEAVE A … [Read More...] about Heated riding gear in Colorado

Motorcycle Safety BEGINS with ME? What Does That Mean in TODAYS Terms?

For several years, the tagline Watch for Motorcycles or Look Twice Save a Life … [Read More...] about Motorcycle Safety BEGINS with ME? What Does That Mean in TODAYS Terms?

American International Motorcycle Expo Trade Show Returns to Las Vegas – January 19-21, 2022

JANUARY 12, 2022 BY The Powersports industry has seen a rapid increase in … [Read More...] about American International Motorcycle Expo Trade Show Returns to Las Vegas – January 19-21, 2022

Denver Judge Clears The way for The Broncos To Be Sold

DENVER (CBS4) – A Denver judge ruled Tuesday that the Denver Broncos can be … [Read More...] about Denver Judge Clears The way for The Broncos To Be Sold

Colorado Motorcycle Expo Moved to February 19th and 20th Due to COVID Mandates

The annual Colorado Motorcycle Expo was scheduled for January 29th and 30th and … [Read More...] about Colorado Motorcycle Expo Moved to February 19th and 20th Due to COVID Mandates

Morning Stretch

Morning Stretch – Never Leave a Friend Behind

Never leave a friend behind. Friends are all we have to get us through this … [Read More...] about Morning Stretch – Never Leave a Friend Behind

Lunch Break Rides

Let's all just take a moment to enjoy all our beautiful state of Colorado has to … [Read More...] about Lunch Break Rides

The Colorado Motorcycle Expo is Back!

SEE IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW ABOUT RECENT LOCAL MASK/VACCINE … [Read More...] about The Colorado Motorcycle Expo is Back!

  • The Holidays are HERE, where did the riding season GO?
  • The 36th Annual Children’s Hospital Toy Run is BACK – Run Scheduled for December 12th
  • Cool Bike Lunch and Rides – 2022 Male Calendar

More Posts from this Category

Business Supporters

Rider Justice Motorcycle Lawyers

 

Follow Us Online

  • Facebook

Footer

Colorado Rider News

  • Current Issue
  • Events
    • Submit Event
  • B.O.B.
    • BOB – Submit Your Business
  • Colorado Riders Care
    • Business Directory
    • Submit Your Business to CRC
    • Event Changes & Cancellations
    • #2Wheels4Meals – Media

About Us

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Advertising

Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2022 Colorado Rider News