Draft:Ron Melancon
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Ron J. Melancon is an American advocate for multiple causes, most notably those relating to vehicle trailers.
Melancon was born in Houston, Texas, and works as a clothing haberdasher.[1] His education includes a Regents Diploma and some college courses.[1] He currently resides in Glen Allen, Virginia and has a wife and two children.[1]
Advocacy
[edit]Dangerous Trailers
[edit]Melancon's organization, described as a "one-man operation" in the Richmond Free Press, collects data on incidents and fatalities caused by unsafe trailers and publishes it on the internet. Further, the organization engages in legislative advocacy. It has been responsible for laws passed in Virginia's General Assembly: House Bill 429 in 2004, requiring all trailers in Virginia to have reflectors or reflective tape, and Senate Bill 646 in 2010, requiring all trailers to have a locking device preventing accidental vehicle separation.[1] Melancon says that more than 500 people are killed a year, and 35,000 injured a year, by passenger vehicles towing trailers.[1] Melancon also claims that his advocacy has led to trailer law changes in Alabama and Tennessee, new towing standards in England, and a new trailer licensing requirement in Ireland.
Melancon wants the development of a national baseline requiring all trailers to meet a basic safety standard when used on any public roadway and the development of a chapter in states’ driver’s manuals on the safe towing of trailers.[1]
History
[edit]In May 2003, Melancon rear-ended a truck-towed, low-slung, empty, steel-mesh trailer. After the accident, he took photos of the trailer's lack of operational rear lights. In court, he showed the judge the pictures. His case was dismissed, but the judge commended his efforts and instructed Melancon to keep him [the judge] updated.[1] Additionally, Melancon witnessed a loose trailer crash into and kill a woman in the South Side of Richmond where a woman was hit and killed by a loose trailer, leading to him increasing his advocacy efforts.[1]
Hayride and parade float advocacy
[edit]Melancon claims that 20 people a year are victims of unsafe hayrides and parade floats.[1] He claims that the advocacy work undertaken by his organization has led to new hayride safety laws in Maine.[1]
License plates
[edit]Melancon has also advocated for additional vanity license plate options for Virginia vehicle owners.[1] He says that his biggest achievement was successfully advocating for a license plate with an American flag design in 2002.[1]