Letter to the Editor

Clear off your rear-view mirror!

Letter to the editor:

     As a motorcycle driver with awareness of other drivers in cars, many do not know there is a campaign to remove vehicle windshield obstructions such as handicapped parking placards hanging from rear-view mirrors along with flower leis, CDs, work IDs, necklaces, air fresheners and all other “good luck charms.”

     We have seen those objects in so many cars. Common sense would tell you that those items do not belong where the driver needs to be looking.

     Here’s another fact about blocked motorist vision – the handicapped parking placards hanging from the rear-view are illegal to have hanging from the rear-view mirror when driving the car! The fact is those hanging handicapped cards are parking permits, not driving permits. It is illegal to leave on the rear-view when the car is being driven.

     As a motorcycle driver, I am not trying to single out disabled drivers. But I as a legally licensed motorcyclist am entitled to every opportunity to be seen by all motorists, disabled or not.

     If you, too, believe this issue deserves more attention, please join in the campaign to rid drivers’ windshields of the obstructions that prevent us, as well as pedestrians, bicyclists and even other vehichles, from being seen.

     I encourage our local law enforcement officers to start citing motorists for blocked vision in the windshield.

     By all means, take everything off your own rear-view mirror that can block your vision of the road. With just a few simple changes and a push to awareness, we as motorcyclists and bicyclists think we can offer a big change in Iowa with more safety with windshields that are not cluttered up with stuff.

     Join me along with our local chapter of North Iowa MAG – Motorcycle Awareness Group – in the campaign “Stop Blocking Me Out!”

     Clear out the clutter and windshield obstructions from your vehicle.

     Sincerely,

     Luella Rodemeyer

     Motorcyclist and bicyclist

     Hampton