Pretext for Impounding and Sale?

It appears that somebody has been trying to push through a bill that would empower the police in Washington State to impound any motorcycle that is operated by someone "without the proper license".

I indeed would find this a distinct concern. As noted in the article, most tow truck drivers have no idea how to tow a motorcycle. I can't tell you how many tow truck drivers try to haul a motorcycle with the sling. Umm, hello? Impact damage from slamming against the back of the truck?

Courtesy of KNDO / KNDU
As a result, the Washington State legislature is trying to improve safety for those who ride. One purposed bill, which has passed the Senate, but not the House, would allow police the option to impound a motorcycle on the spot--if the driver doesn't have the proper license. Currently, the can only issue a citation.

About 60% of motorcycle drivers have the correct license.

While I think their 60% statistic is utter bullshit, I have a proposition.
If they want to do this, I say that it ought to be fair. Make it also legal for the State to impound any car or truck for which the driver doesn't have an operator's license or permit or doesn't have liability insurance.
This law would disappear right fast once somebody's $40,000 SUV was impounded and sold at auction for having insufficient insurance coverage or an expired license.

Will we ever see that one? On a cold day in hell, perhaps.

Support Your Local POLITE

I saw one extremely clever rider on my way in to work.

He was riding one of those Honda SilverWing uber-scooters through the morning traffic. A smart vehicle for that really, and I found myself a little jealous as my clutch hand was getting tired of engaging and dis-engaging the clutch on the motorcycle every time the truck in front of me rolled up 20 or 30 feet (6-10m, yo).

I must say that although I look very dashing in my now disgustingly-grungy and not so Hi-Viz Yellow Aerostich, his black and grey Fieldsheer riding suit looked quite practical.

But even better and to top the whole thing off, he was wearing a very conspicuous white helmet with his black scooter and black suit. And what was stenciled in large block letters on the back of the helmet of this quite-official looking individual?

"POLITE"

Big Block Letters. And I can assure you, it was getting a brake tap and a second look from the cagers coming up on him.

Heh.

All I can say is: My hat off to you, Mr. Polite. You got bigger brass ones than I.