Motorcycle training Essay Example for Free

Motorcycle training Essay This training was developed by police officers for police officers. The information provided is meant to enhance officer knowledge and safety in the realm of motorcycle laws through enforcement and public education of those motor vehicle/motorcycle laws, and give officers the information to help reduce the number of motorcyclist killed or injured in traffic crashes. The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) would like to thank the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for their help in making this training possible. Particular thanks go to Earl Hardy and William Cosby of NHTSA for their on-going guidance. We also must extend our thanks to the following individuals who participated in the curriculum development. Their knowledge and experience helped to define the content of the materials for the lesson modules and critical information was covered for law enforcement. The individuals who helped make this training a reality include the following: Mr. Richard Davis, Arkansas State Police; Lt. Jim Halvorsen, New York State Police; Lt. Michael Turcott, Washington State Police; and Mr. John Young, Texas Department of Public Safety. Special thanks to Inspector Patrick McManamon, Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles and Mr. Albert Liebno, Maryland Police Correctional Training Commissions for their feedback on improving the presentations. The information contained in this program by no means reflects the opinions of all the individuals listed. June F. Kelly, Project Manager, IADLEST. Assistant Director, Vermont Police Academy TITLE: Motorcycle Safety and Enforcement Training for LE (Law Enforcement) Lesson Purpose: To understand why the enforcement of motorcycle laws, support of national motorcycle safety enforcement efforts and best practices are critical to reduce motorcycle fatalities and injuries. Date Prepared: May 1, 2009 PURPOSE STATEMENT This training manual developed by IADLEST is intended to assist law enforcement in the enforcement of motorcycle laws. Its purpose is to share existing motorcycle laws knowledge, discuss motorcycle safety issues, the scope of problems involving enforcement of motorcycle laws, and present best practices in the realm of enforcement of motorcycle laws, sharing of safety practices for law enforcement, the motorcyclist and the public, prevention of motorcycle accidents and fill an existing gap in law enforcement training. The goal of this training is to have all police officers trained through their Police Academies or POST1 Programs. We propose to act on the knowledge gained in this course to promote â€Å"enforcement of motorcycle laws† and reduce the problem of unlicensed motorcyclists, motorcycle DUI, non- compliant helmets, and speed related crashes. P. O. S. T. is the acronym for Police Officer Standards and Training TITLE: Training for the Enforcement of Motorcycle Laws Opening Statement This training will look at situations unique to the enforcement of motorcycle laws such as the following: Why so many motorcycles injuries and fatalities and what can law enforcement do through public education and enforcement? Motorcycle Types and Characteristics Safety Laws Related to Equipment and Operation Motorcycle licensing and speeding issues Officer and Motorcyclist Safety Consider â€Å"distracted driver† issues and how critical it is to operating a motorcycle. Driver talking to passenger Cell phone use (yes, in a car and even on a motorcycle) Talking to another motorcyclist, riding two or three abreast Strategies for traffic stops Strategies to avoid pursuit situations Crash Investigation Detection of impaired motorcyclists Detection of non-compliant helmets Latest on enforcement public relations campaigns Specific course objectives. 1. Why this course? Explain national statistics bulleted on slide. 2. Review motorcycle laws related to critical areas. Equipment Licensing requirements Alcohol-related/impaired behavior of motorcyclists Speed Enforcement Helmets FMVSS 218 and what are the pending revisions 3. Officer Safety concerns Explain and share strategies for stopping motorcycles and Strategies to avoid pursuits. 4. Motorcycle Crash Investigation awareness First Responder Safety and Motorcyclist First Aid Pointers What are some motorcycle crash investigation pointers to consider for crash investigators? Does your state have standardized data gathering and reporting for motorcycle crashes? 5. Encourage motorcycle safety and education. National Statistics 2 Injuries Fatalities According to US DOT, Motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled since 1998, increasing 130 percent over a ten year period. Registration trends Motorcycles account for 3 percent of all registered vehicles; however motorcycle fatalities represent 13 percent of traffic fatalities in the United States. Unlicensed motorcycle drivers1 out 4 motorcycle riders (25%) involved in fatal crashes in 2008 were not properly licensed. DUI is a factor in fatalities Alcohol is a significant factor in far too many motorcycle fatal crashes. In 2008, 29 percent of all fatally injured motorcycle operators had BAC levels of . 08 or higher, and 43 percent of those killed in single-vehicle crashes were over . 08 BAC, and that number jumps to 64 percent on weekend nights. Helmet Use Nationally Helmet Laws from State to State   20 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico require helmet use by all;   Other States have â€Å"partial helmet† laws based on age or no laws requiring helmet use. Enforcement Issues   There is limited training on enforcement of motorcycle laws because most police academies across the country do not have courses on the topic or only provide brief coverage on motorcycle laws in their basic motor vehicle law classes.   Training on motorcycle law enforcement is often specialized and appeals to those that ride. Most law enforcement officers do not ride motorcycles so they do not know what to look for regarding motorcycle equipment, helmets and the laws. Motorcycle Risks Motorcyclists Are at Risk from Other Drivers. Drivers of passenger vehicles and all types of vehicles need to be alert of motorcycles. Motorcycles are small and may be difficult for drivers of other vehicles to see.   Motorcycles have a much smaller profile than other vehicles.   Due to the smaller profile it can be difficult to judge the speed and distance of an approaching motorcycle.   After a crash, the drivers of other vehicles involved often say they never saw the motorcyclist and were unable to respond in time.   In the event of a crash, a motorcyclist is much more vulnerable and in much greater danger physically than other vehicle occupants. In fact, â€Å"Per vehicle mile traveled in 2007, motorcyclists are about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash and 9 times more likely to be injured. † National Statistics Motorcyclist Deaths are Rising.   In 2008, motorcycle rider fatalities increased for the tenth straight year.   During 2008, 5,290 motorcyclists lost their lives in fatal highway crashes, an increase of 2 percent over the 5,174 motorcyclists killed in 2007.   Motorcycle riders were involved in more than one out of nine of all U. S. roadway fatalities. 47 percent of all fatalities in motorcycle crashes in 2008 involved another vehicle in addition to the motorcycle in the crash.   77 percent of all two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle were struck in the front with only 7 percent struck in the rear.   In 41 percent of the crashes involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle, the other vehicle was turning left when the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking the vehicle.   In 2008, 35 percent of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding. Law Enforcement. Law enforcement has a special contribution to make in the prevention of motorcycle crashes. Some of these contributions are simple and some are very difficult: dirt bikes in traffic are an obvious hazard; unlicensed motorcyclists are difficult to detect, and according to the Hurt study impaired motorcycle riders are far more difficult to detect than impaired automobile drivers. The increases involvement of the unlicensed rider in all crashes, and the impaired rider in fatal crashes, demands enforcement action, but legal requirements of due cause for a traffic stop may limit this action. These edited comments are a part of the Hurt Study released in 1981, which tried to research motorcycle crash cause factors and identify countermeasures to use in the idea of providing the basis of due cause for preliminary enforcement action and screening of traffic for unlicensed riders. One fundamental rider communication measure suggested in the study was enforcement action by ticketing for a for a traffic violation. The data of this research shows that driver improvement is vital to those motorcycle riders who have had traffic violations or crashes, and experience has shown that a special motorcycle traffic school is an effective alternative to the payment of a fine for a citation. Advantage should be made of this contact opportunity to require a special motorcycle traffic school for motorcycle riders with traffic citations so that critical information can be given to these likely crash candidates. The Hurt study was cited in many references about motorcycle crash cause studies and countermeasures over the years. This study is now 30 years old. A new study is currently under commission through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to the Oklahoma Transportation Center for the â€Å"new Motorcycle Crash Causation Study†. The hope is that this study will shed new light on the causes of crashes and update the old data. HURT STUDY – Highlights Key Points Learned 75% M/C crashes involve another vehicle 2/3 of those crashes other vehicle failed to yield right of way to M/C Failure of motorist to recognize M/C is predominate cause of crash Crash configuration—M/C traveling straight other vehicle turning maneuver Riders 16 and 24 of age are over-represented in these crashes (96% male) 92% of the riders we self taught without any â€Å"formal† training 50% of fatal M/C riders had alcohol usage Motorcyclist had significant collision avoidance problems, i. e. , over/under braking, poor ability to counter steer and swerve, etc. Typically less than 2 seconds for motorcyclist to react Motorcycles equipped with fairings and windshields low crash involvement – maybe related to conspicuity (more frontal surface) High number of M/C riders had no M/C license , no license of any type or were suspended/revoked

Why Do Labor Unions Matter? Essay -- Why Unions Matter

Introduction The labor union movement over the years has shaped the way individuals work and live for both the nicest and unpleasant. Some would think the unions influence has created a power struggle between management and union leaders. In today’s time, some citizens insist the existence of unions are a must to aid in employee freedom, while others view the labor unions as just another problem in the line of progress. The purpose of labor unions was for employed workers to come together and collectively agree on fundamental workplace objectives. The rise of the union came about after the Civil War- responding to the industrial economy. Surprisingly at the least unions became popular within the 1930-50’s and began to slowly decrease, starting in the 1960’s on to today. Although, the popularity of labor unions has decreased, its importance remains to be evident with politics, journalism, auto, and the public education industries. The objective of this paper is to shine light upon labor unions, taking a closer look at the disputed issues of union ethics, concerns of union diversity, and the opposing viewpoints of labor unions. Why Do Labor Unions Matter? Unions have an extensive history of standing up for workers. They have advocated rights of steelworkers, coal miners, clothing factory employees, teachers, health care workers, and many others. The labor movement is based on the idea that organized workers as a group have more power than individuals would have on their own. The key purpose of any union is to negotiate contracts, making sure workers are respected and fairly compensated for their work. â€Å"In theory† unions are democratic organizations, resulting in varying inner authority. Workers look for security within a job a... ...d from http://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet (accessed May 5, 2012). Wagner, V. (2008). Labor Unions opposing viewpoints. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press. Gould, W. (1977). Black workers in white unions: Job discrimination in the United States. London: Cornell University Press. Dine, P. (2008). State of the Unions. New York. NY: McGraw-Hill. Zieger, R. (2007). For jobs and freedom: Race and Labor in America since 1865. Lexington, KY: The University Press of Kentucky. McNeese, T. (2008). The Labor Movement: Unionizing America. New York. NY: InfoBase Publishing. SOLIDARITY FOR SALE - LABORERS: LIUNA-An Unofficial Look At ... (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.laborers.org/SOLIDARITYFORSALE.html Ethics and the Unions - Part 1. Industrial Workers of the World. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.iww.org/en/history/library/Dolgoff/newbeginning/1

Prevent Animals and Plants from Dying Out Essay

Increasing number of animals and plants are dying out, but little has been done to prevent. This problem has given rise to great public concern now. In this essay, I’ll analyse some possible causes of this phenomenon and then propose some solutions. Firstly, some people think it is waste of resource to prevent animals and plants. They suggest that the money should be better spent on human population. They want take more space and totally ignore the animals’ and the plants’. Secondly, human being is selfish and greedy, some people cannot resist the temptation of wearing the fur coat or eating the delicious food, (such as shark’s fin, wild animals etc.) though they have been aware of this problem for a long time. Based on the above analysis, I think there are some ways to deal with the problem. To start with, the sense of protection animals and plants should be enhanced. To let people know that the disappearance of animals and plants will result in serious threat to the balance of ecosystem. It is hard to imagine what our world would be like without animals and plants. Next, a healthy lifestyle should be advocated, like healthy diet, simple life, get alone well with natures. Finally the most important thing is to lay down the low to punish those who kill animals or cut plants without permission strictly. In summary, to protect animals and plants is to protect our living environment. Every individual should participate in doing something to preserve animals and plants from dying out.

Kerosene in Diesel Engine Question

Scott, you are right, we had discussed the clear liquid shortening and I thought I had stayed away from it until I saw the cubies. Yesterday, I went back to my supplier and commented about the mixing of Clear Liquid Oil and Clear Liquid Shortening. Undoubtedly, the grill cook was not aware the oil had been mixed until I saw it on the cubies and so Ive been told they have a new supplier and it will be only Clear Liquid Oil. I have asked them to keep the empty cubies for me, so I can use them for storage, etc. I will wait and see what happens. The kero I had mentioned mixing with my biodiesel is considered highway kero with taxes paid on it at the pump. In N.C. all of our kero is dyed, as well as off road diesel. Our DOT will spot check big rigs, but so far I havent heard of them checking small diesels. However, I never use dyed fuel in my pickup. Next door in S.C. all of the fuel is cheaper due to our state taxes being lower so the kero is actually cheaper than their diesel. Our kero is higher than our diesel and the diesel is 20 to 40 cents higher per gallon than our unleaded. Several years ago, I had an Olds with a GM diesel (converted gasoline to diesel) and the book allowed me to use 10 percent gasoline during the winter to keep the diesel from gelling. Do you think that would be wise to use gasoline in biodiesel during the winter? My friend that I was splitting the oil with has backed out of using SVO I think mainly due to the mods he would have to do to his truck. Anyway, he left me with some literature he had pulled off the internet about using SVO and unleaded gasoline. Im thinking that would be a great way to blow an engine or at least coke it pretty heavily in a short time. Looks like there is a little of everything on the net. Have a great day. Tom Hey Tom,As long as you can get highway kero, and its cheaper, go ahead and run it with a mixture of at least B20 to keep the lubricity up. Kerosene is often used as a thinning (viscosity reducing) agent to help prevent diesel (middle distillate grade #2) and biodiesel fuel gelling in cold weather, but it does reduce the fuels lubricity as well. Since biodiesel has a very high level of lubricity, the reduction from mixing with kerosene is minimal. With regular petro diesel, care must be taken to avoid over-thinning. To avoid this problem, most fuel distribution centers carry winter diesel (light distillate grade #1) for delivery to fueling stations in cold climates. Diesel engines, however, are remarkably tolerant of fuel formulations and can run on just about any low volatility oil based fuel, but of course that doesnt mean they should or that it is even legal (tax wise) or beneficial to do so. While the engines themselves (pistons and valves) are more or less indifferent to fuel types, the emissions and injection controls on modern clean diesel engines would likely be damaged by using any fuel other than ULSD or B5. For illustration purposes only, following is a (mostly complete) list of fuels that can be burned in a diesel engine: Diesel #1Diesel #2Diesel #4ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel)Biodiesel (from B5 to B100)KeroseneHome heating oilCivil jet fuel (Jet A-1, Jet A, Jet B)Military jet fuel(JP-4,JP-5,JP-8)SVO (Straight Vegetable And this is interesting—your fuel prices in the Carolinas are different than ours further north. In central PA as of 05-20-08: No, the E85 price is not a typo. Ethanol based fuel has been about a buck a gallon cheaper for the last several years. Ive been experimenting with varying percentages of E85 in my gasoline powered 5.7-liter 1994 Chevy Silverado. A story about my results as well as doing a full conversion to E85 is in the plans. Which brings me to your question about running a gasoline and SVO (straight vegetable oil) mixture in a diesel. I would steer clear for the very reasons you mentioned as well as others from horror stories Ive heard. Diesels are compression ignition engines designed for dense, low volatility oil based fuels (diesel, biodiesel and kerosene). Gasoline style engines are spark ignited and require light and highly volatile fuels (gasoline, alcohol and E85). It doesnt take a stretch of the imagination to understand that an improperly-mixed amount of gasoline and vegetable oil (too much gasoline) could easily prematurely ignite (detonate) and destroy a diesel engines pistons and/or va lvetrain. Reciprocally, Ive heard stories of mixtures with too much veggie oil gumming up and clogging filters, pumps and injectors. In my opinion, there are only two safe methods to run vegetable oil in a diesel engine: Use properly manufactured biodiesel, or install a conversion kit that heats (thus reducing viscosity) the SVO before introduction to the fuel pump and injectors. As always, Tom, thanks for the great comments and questions. Best,Scott