Terence McBride, manager of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Bureau, says state law is clear about why the brake lights were being rejected: "No nonemergency vehicle shall operate or install emergency flashing light systems such as strobe, wigwag, or other flashing lights in the tail light lamp, stoplight area, or factory installed emergency flasher and backup light area."
But the bikers rallied for a change. "Most of us die by someone violating our right of way," says John Pierce, director of the Memphis chapter of CMT/ABATE, a lobbying group for motorcycle rights. "Anything that attracts attention is a good thing and a life-saving device," he adds. The auxiliary lights, which are available commercially, flash for several seconds before becoming solid red.
The bikers took their case to state Representative Phillip Johnson, who decided that the inspector had interpreted the law correctly. Nevertheless, he sponsored an amendment exempting motorcycles from the flashing-lights ban. In his view, the larger problem with the original law was that motorcyclists driving in from other states with the flashing brake lights were receiving tickets.
Pierce says his group plans to deliver a copy of the new bill to the local inspector--but not on their Harleys. "I think we've embarrassed him enough," he says. "We've had a lot of fun with this one, but it's the kind best shared over a beer."
