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Susan Dane

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

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

Christopher’s Angels Fund – Poker Run

July 29, 2019 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

By: Susan Dane

On August 25, the 9th Annual CAF Poker Run will be held as a fundraiser for The Denver Hospice. 

Christopher’s Angels Fund (CAF) was founded by Bob and Donna Johnson in memory of their son. Christopher died in the care of The Denver Hospice when he was two years old. The Johnsons struggled financially during Christopher’s illness and struggled to find resources to help. They hoped that by creating this fund, they could ease the financial stress on other families coping with terminal illness.

Family assistance grants from Christopher’s Angels Fund can be requested for non-medical needs like food, mortgage/rent payments, home and auto repairs, special occasions, outings and celebrations, travel expenses, summer camps and other activity fees for children. It can also cover funeral/memorial service costs and direct care expenses not covered by insurance.

Christopher’s Angels Fund truly makes a difference in the lives of families serviced by The Denver Hospice. As families reach the end of a long battle with a terminal illness, their financial resources are often depleted. Many hospice families find themselves not only dealing with the stress of illness, but coping with being stretched beyond their limits, trying to fit work and other responsibilities into a physically and emotionally demanding experience.

Because everyone who helps with the CAF Poker Run does so in a volunteer capacity, 100% of the funds raised go into the Fund to help the families in need.  Check out the Facebook Event Page (9th Annual CAF Poker Run) for more info.  The Poker Run starts/ends @ In the Zone with registration beginning @ 9:00 am.

Filed Under: Magazine, Ride Tagged With: 08/19, CAF, Charity, Christopher's Angels, Fundraiser, Poker Run, Susan Dane

SB19-012 Passes the first round

March 12, 2019 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

By: Susan Dane, Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving (CORD)

Senate Bill 19-012 (SB19-012), Use of Electronic Mobile Devices While Driving, passed the Senate & Energy Committee on February 14 with a unanimous “Yes” vote. [Read more…] about SB19-012 Passes the first round

Filed Under: Legal, Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 03/19, Colorado Legislation, CORD, O'Sullivan Law, Rider Justice, Scott O'Sullivan, Susan Dane

Driving Laws Must Keep Pace with Technology

September 7, 2018 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

By: Susan Dane, CORD Chair

CORD, along with ABATE, Biker Down, Bicycle Colorado, Bike Blue, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, the Property & Casualty Insurance Association of America, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Transportation, AAA and Colorado Drive Safe will be meeting with Senator Lois Court and her Bill Drafter at the end of November to talk about reviving the “Use of Electronic Mobile Devices While Driving” Bill that did not make it through the legislature in 2018. [Read more…] about Driving Laws Must Keep Pace with Technology

Filed Under: Legal, Magazine Tagged With: 09/18, ABATE, BikerDown, Colorado Legislation, CORD, Susan Dane

I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency)

July 7, 2018 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

By: Susan Dane, CORD Chair

A few weeks ago, a local couple was in a single vehicle motorcycle accident while riding with a group. After the couple was transported to the hospital, it took the remaining group members hours (and I mean HOURS) to find emergency contact information so that relatives could be contacted. [Read more…] about I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency)

Filed Under: Community, Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 07/18, CORD, ICE, Susan Dane

Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving

May 2, 2018 By Colorado Rider News 1 Comment

By:  Susan Dane

Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving (CORD) was formed when our friends, Brian and Jacquie Lehner, were killed on their motorcycle in February 2016  in a head-on collision by a woman who was reading a text message when her car drifted across the double yellow lines and hit Brian and Jacquie.  [Read more…] about Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving

Filed Under: Legal, Magazine Tagged With: 05/18, CORD, Legislation, Susan Dane

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