One Family’s Efforts to Memorialize Son Through Programs That Will Save Lives of Others
By: Delanie Howell

One of those benchmark times in life that we look forward to is turning 16 and being able to drive ourselves around. In order to get a driver’s license to do so, however, we must take driver’s education to become eligible to take the driving test. While kids may think driver’s education is pointless and boring, parents take comfort in knowing their child will be well prepared to get on the road. Why isn’t the same comfort afforded to parents when their child’s vehicle of choice is a motorcycle? In Oklahoma, the only requirement for obtaining a motorcycle license is the driving test itself. The lack of a required safety course in combination with a limited helmet law and motorcycles that have no governor for speed became a parent’s worst nightmare for Leon and Teresa Fanning when their son Austin had a fatal accident on a motorcycle he had owned for only two days.

A collection of Austin's things that his parents have on display in their home: photos, his wrestling uniform, a baseball cap, his funeral program, his obituary, and some poems. PHOTO: Delanie Howell

“I still have the last text he sent me. He said ‘Hey, I got the bike.’ I just don’t have the heart to erase it,” Mr. Fanning said.

Although they’re still hurting, Austin’s parents aren’t just going to sit back and let this sort of thing continue to happen. They are working on developing a program and figuring out how to lobby the government to tighten motorcycle laws in Oklahoma. Mrs. Fanning, Austin’s mother, explained, “Most cars, from what I understand, have a governor on them to where they can’t go over 98 to 99 miles per hour. Cars are a lot safer than motorcycles. This particular motorcycle that he was riding, from the factory, 160 miles an hour. That’s without any enhancements.” Also, according to BikerEzine.com, there is a limited helmet law in Oklahoma, which means that after the age of 18, a rider is not required to wear a helmet as long as he or she wears some sort of eye protection. Sunglasses count in this case.

There are motorcycle safety courses available in the state of Oklahoma, but most are fairly expensive in today’s economy, at $150 per rider. The Fannings are hoping to create a fund in Austin’s name that will allow riders who wish to take the course to take it for free in an effort to get more riders educated about the dangers of driving a motorcycle irresponsibly. Mr. Fanning showed great concern about this issue. “That’s all I want. That’s what we’re trying to get, the financial backing in a trust fund. If we can come up with some kind of trust fund or grant process, where we had the funds set up where kids can actually take the course for free, paid for by this fund.” They have come up with a pretty creative way for raising the money to start such a fund. Mr. and Mrs. Fanning are collecting - and asking everyone they know to collect as well - the aluminum tabs from the tops of beverage cans for recycling.

A bumper sticker that was made to keep Austin's memory alive. PHOTO: Delanie Howell

“If we can stop one kid from getting killed on this deal, if we can save one kid’s life, if we can save one parent from going through what we’ve been through, then every penny out of our pocket, every ounce of energy that we spend on this, is going to be well worth it,” said Mr. Fanning. His wife, echoing that sentiment and understanding they have a long road ahead of them, said, “This is just the beginning, we’re still trying to figure things out, but we’re hoping to make an impact, a big one.”