Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, April 20, 2012
(INDIANAPOLIS) - The debate over habitual traffic offenders getting back on the road on mopeds will continue this morning in the Indiana Supreme Court.
Sandra Chapman, of WTHR, reports that it's a case creating confusion for both police and suspended drivers.
The debate: Is it a motor vehicle, or simply a motorized bike? For suspended drivers who get caught driving one, it could mean going to jail.
"It's 49cc, less than 2 horsepower, maximum speed of 25 mph on a level ground, and that's it. If you're doing 26 miles per hour, you're busted," said Mike Tockey, a well known westside moped dealer who has pushed for tougher laws.
Tockey believes 26 mph is the cut-off speed for enforcement. But not so fast. Police agencies across the state often interpret the law differently.
Just ask John Smith, who readily admits he's been stopped on his moped.
"Yeah, about ten times. I've been stopped on it a lot. I tell them that my license is suspended. They read the VIN numbers. As long as it don't come back stolen, they're like, you're fine. As long as it ain't over 50cc and above," Smith said, explaining how police allow him to continue driving the moped.
That's what Michael Lock thought too. Today his case will be argued before the Indiana Supreme Court.
In 2009, he was arrested and convicted of driving while suspended after a State Trooper caught him and his 49cc Yamaha Zuma topping 43 mph on U.S. Highway 24.
But last year, the Indiana Court of Appeals overturned his conviction.
Judge Melissa May writes:
"Lock argues the State did not prove he operated a motor vehicle, because his Zuma is a motorized bicycle, which...is exempt...We agree the State did not prove the Zuma was a motor vehicle, however, neither does the record before us permit us to hold the Zuma is a motorized bicycle."
The problem is Indiana's law. It's unclear and outdated.
Indiana lawmakers had a chance to clarify the law this past session, but didn't get it done. The bill died during the final days of the session in conference committee. That means Indiana law still remains very unclear about what suspended drivers can or cannot put on the road.
"In most every instance the bikes are faster than the law allows and the police are not enforcing it," added Tockey.
The proposed changes did include a change in speeds, allowing the mopeds to travel as fast as 30 mph.
It would have also required insurance and all mopeds to be registered and plated through the BMV, just like motorcycles.
And the term "motorized bicycle" would have been changed to moped, reducing some of the confusion.
State Supreme Court arguments begin at 9:30 am.
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