Dont leave home without ID

[caligurl]

I also carry my cell phone with me and have ICE numbers stored.

i do too.. but i don't think that would keep us from getting arrested

i guess what i got from the article is there is carrying id for emergencies (road ID and cell phone with ICE) and carrying ID suitable and legal for cops if you should happen to be stopped for whatever reason...

for the purpose of the article.. we are talking strictly the legal id aspect!

[bikerchick68]

I'm guessing the methamphetamine was the REAL issue.. and the cop just tacked on all charges he could think of to make sure the dude stayed behind bars for a while... most cops aren't going to arrest you for not having ID if you're an otherwise upstanding citizen...

[mtbdarby]

Caligirl,
In Wisconsin if you lose your license or need it replaced, they still use your old picture! They told me they will only take a new picture every ten years so they use the stored picture. How dumb is that? Mine is three years old and was taken right after I had my son - 50 pounds ago. I don't even look like the same person but they won't let me get a new picture taken. Good grief - buerocracy for you...

[bcipam]

ouch! i guess my road ID wouldn't be good enough for a policeperson then?

i don't carry my license.. cuz i'd lose it! i've already lost 2 work issued id's carrything them other than in my wallet they are gonna get sick of making them for me (plus i have to make sure i have a good hair day when i get them remade/reissued!)

I carry a photocopy of my license and my health insurance information in a small baggie.

[ladiebug]

K gals. Not trying to sound like a total idiot here, but what is ICE?

[emily_in_nc]

When I had my accident I didn't have my drivers license or medical insurance card with me (though I did have a cell phone for hubby to call 911, and an ID sticker with my name/address/phone inside my helmet). The cool thing was that I was able to get an ambulance, be admitted to Duke University hospital, and even have surgery without ever producing ID or proof of insurance. Of course, I am very certain that this only worked because I could state my name, address, date of birth, and social security number, and I was already in the Duke Hospital system since my primary care physician is in the same network, so they could bring up all my insurance and past medical info on the 'puter.

Kinda strange, though, that I didn't have to prove I was me. I guess a gal in a blue polka-dotted jersey and bike shorts is less likely to pose as someone else than the average joe??

Kinda curious, but it worked for me - thank goodness.... Even after Barry brought my ID and insurance card to the hospital (at my request), I don't think he ever had to show them to anyone.

Emily

[CorsairMac]

K gals. Not trying to sound like a total idiot here, but what is ICE?

no ma'am you're not: ICE=In Case (of) Emergency

[skibum]

I wonder if emergency rooms will just treat you and then worry about ID later. I had a (non-bike) sports injury that required a trip to the ER. One of my teammates brought me in and I had no ID and no proof of insurance. I had a mild concussion so I was even a little fuzzy on some of my personal info. I was able to come up with the important stuff (name/address/etc) but, I couldn't remember my personal physician's name for instance. I had never been to anything associated with that hospital system so I wasn't in their computers. They treated me and sent me home with forms I could fill out and fax in with my insurance info later. I suppose if it turned out I didn't have insurance, they would have tried to get the money out of me personally.

I haven't totally learned my lesson. I always carry ID if I ride alone. If I'm riding with a group, I sometimes get lazy and don't pull it out of my wallet to put it in my saddle bag. I think it's time to make a copy and always keep it in a ziploc in my saddle bag.

[caligurl]

Caligirl,
In Wisconsin if you lose your license or need it replaced, they still use your old picture! They told me they will only take a new picture every ten years so they use the stored picture. How dumb is that? Mine is three years old and was taken right after I had my son - 50 pounds ago. I don't even look like the same person but they won't let me get a new picture taken. Good grief - buerocracy for you...

oh... i like my driver's license photo! wish they'd to that here at work! but alas... new mug shot every time (and new thumbprint every time too?!)

[bcipam]

When I had my accident I didn't have my drivers license or medical insurance card with me (though I did have a cell phone for hubby to call 911, and an ID sticker with my name/address/phone inside my helmet). The cool thing was that I was able to get an ambulance, be admitted to Duke University hospital, and even have surgery without ever producing ID or proof of insurance. Of course, I am very certain that this only worked because I could state my name, address, date of birth, and social security number, and I was already in the Duke Hospital system since my primary care physician is in the same network, so they could bring up all my insurance and past medical info on the 'puter.

Emily

2 years ago I had a fairly bad accident. I was unconcious for about 20 minutes and when I came to, I didn't know my name, address, etc. But for some strange reason I knew I had ID in my Camelbak. The paramedics retrieved it and my insurance information and based on that I was transported to a really nice hospital as opposed to the country urgent care which would have been my option.

PS: I was riding with someone but he knew me as a riding buddy and didn't even know my last name. Just good to know I have that information handy if it's needed.

[caligurl]

ok ok OK! i just made copies of my license and insurance card to put on my bikes.....

i seriously doubt that the copy of a license is legitimate id any more so than my road ID.... but i think the insurance card is a great idea to carry!

[bcipam]

The license copy will do. The Authorities will run a check on it anyway to verify. The insurance card is actually most important. Just trust me on this!!!! Unfortunately I know!

[roughingit]

You must haf your papers!

This law is also true of people just out walking as well. Personally it makes me uneasy...shades of big brother indeed.

[Trekhawk]

You must haf your papers!

This law is also true of people just out walking as well. Personally it makes me uneasy...shades of big brother indeed.

Pleased to see Im not the only one this makes uncomfortable.

[Technotart]

In an ermergency - a case in which life or limb are threatened - you will be taken to the nearest emergency room equipped to handle your level of injury and treated immediately - insurance card or not. You don't get to choose which hospital you go to just because you are concious or have an insurance card, most EMS services have to transport to the closest appropriate level of care for your injury or illness. If it's a 6 of one half a dozen of another sort of thing, you might have a say so, and of course if life or limb are not at risk.

As for ID - always always always carry something with PHONE NUMBERS on it. Your drivers license does not have phone numbers (well it doesn't in Texas anyway, I don't know about other states.)

EMS and ER staff check pockets, bags and shoes in that order pretty much for ID. A seat pack may go unrifled through if no one happens to notice its still on the bike.

I ordered the little metal engraved dog tags.