Welcome to

Bikers from around the state are in Tallahassee asking lawmakers for safer roads. ABATE Florida is supporting legislation for mandatory jail time for drivers who kill a biker in a wreck. As Whitney Ray tells us, they also support a ban on texting while driving.

The bikers of ABATE Florida were out in full force at the state capitol Monday asking lawmakers for stricter penalties for drivers who kill bikers on the road.

“Kill a motorcyclist they get an 82 dollar fine, that’s all they get; failure to yield. You do that in a car, hit somebody else in a car, you get vehicular manslaughter,” said Doc Reichenbach, ABATE President.

The names of bikers killed in wrecks last year were read aloud. Fifty-six bell chimes were sounded; one for each lost life. Bikers say the biggest danger they face is drivers distracted by their cell phones.

“Texting, even using a cell phone while you are driving, that’s like having a gun,” said Casey Staley, the president of the ABATE, Lake County.

If someone is texting while driving and hits someone on two wheels the consequences can be much greater than hitting another car.”

Carl Gajus is constantly on the lookout for people using their cell phones.

“People just don’t see us, even when I’m wearing my vest going to work every day, I get people cutting me off,” said Carl.

The group’s split on red-light cameras; some say they make intersections safer. Others believe they increase rear-collisions. Carl calls them intrusive.

“Big Brother is watching us everywhere. Sometimes it’s for good, sometimes it’s not for good,” said Carl.

The bikers spent the day talking to lawmakers, then headed home hoping when they return next year, there are fewer bells to ring and fewer bikers lost. ABATE says the Senate is sympathetic to their legislative agenda, but bills to ban texting and increase penalties for drivers who kill bikers are being held up in the House.