Posted on 05/26/2004 12:15:08 PM PDT by martin_fierro
DEARBORN, Mich., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- A bill designed to repeal Michigan's mandatory motorcycle helmet law would increase the number of state motorcycle deaths and injuries if passed into law, said AAA Michigan today (May 26). Members of the House Transportation Committee will vote tomorrow (May 27) on whether to move the bill forward.
HB 4325, sponsored by Rep. Leon C. Drolet (R-Clinton Township), would remove the mandatory helmet requirement for all riders and passengers 21 years of age or older, but does not require motorcycle riders to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage.
"It is well established that motorcycle helmets decrease the severity of injury, the likelihood of death and the overall cost of medical care," said Richard J. Miller, manager of Community Safety Services for AAA Michigan. "Motorcycle riders are much more at risk than persons driving or riding in a passenger vehicle."
Since motorcyclists are exempt from Personal Injury Protection coverage and often ride uninsured, said AAA, all Michigan drivers pay higher insurance premiums to cover these losses.
The high rate of catastrophic injury is reflected in data from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA). According to the MCCA, although fewer than 2 percent of all registered motor vehicles in Michigan are motorcycles, 6.3 percent of all reported claims are from motorcyclists.
Miller also cited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, which shows that, in states where the mandatory helmet laws are repealed or weakened, motorcycle fatalities increased substantially:
State Percent increase in motorcycle fatalities
Arkansas 21 percent
Kentucky 34 percent
Louisiana 48 percent
Texas 31 percent
Nationwide, motorcycle fatality rates have been rising. The total number of fatalities is up 53 percent between 1997 (2,116 deaths) and 2002 (3,244 deaths). In addition, the fatality rate per 100,000 registered motorcycles is up -- from 55.3 in 1997 to 65.2 in 2001.
MOTORCYCLE FACTS
In 2002, there were 3,030 motorcycle-involved crashes in Michigan in which 82 riders were killed and 2,470 injured.
Helmets are 67-percent effective in preventing brain injury.
The average paid catastrophic motorcycle claim in Michigan is $402,386, up from $377,830 in 2001.
By an overwhelming majority (81 percent), Americans favor state laws requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets.
Sources: Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP), Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA), Lou Harris
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Let's ban motorized transportation altogether & save 40,000 lives a year.
But think how much stronger the gene pool will become.
Let Darwinism work!
Sheesh.
I kid you not there's a family that I pass on the way to work on occasion who drive around in an old beatup blue suburban.
Everyone sitting in the car is wearing a helmet every time I see them.
I'll never understand why all these perpetual mommies persist with this assault on Freedom. Riders are adults that should be left alone to make their own choices. Their is zero justification for their butting in. What's the point in spending all that money and effort on education if they're going to make all the decisions for you anyway?
They started with seat belts, then progressed to auto loading sholder belts, air bags and tickets for not wearing them. Helmets will come in due time, just like they are with pedal bikes. Might as well live in a friggin' nursey school with perky mamma Liddy Dole running the motivation sessions.
Lol! I agree. But I'm telling you you've never seen anything funnier than a family of four riding around with helmets on. It's hilarious.
I think everyone should have the freedom to wear a lid if they want to.
This isn't just a problem with the motorcycle crowd. I ride horses, and compete long distance. I have a feeling before long it will be mandatory that if you compete you have to wear a helmet. Right now it's a choice but at every competition the judge asks me "where's your helmet?" I say when I HAVE to wear one I'll quit competing. Some how I don't think that helps my score much:)
I also got hollered at last year by some old man in spandex while I was riding a bicycle to put a helmet on. If he hadn't flown by so fast I would have knocked him over.
I'm not wearing helmets on motorcycles, horses, or bikes. Not gonna do it.
Becky
Can't have that!
Head bump.
I've been in a bad mood all day.
Anybody gives me crap about my bald head gettin' peppered with flying bugs at 80mph on I-95 today is gonna get backhanded and/or a size 12 thru their door!
I might just stop and bite their tires too!! GRRRRRR
I KNOW.
<|:P~
Someday we will celebrate the attainment of a risk free society, and promptly be arrested for it.
Flattery will get you NOTHING!
<|:-)~~
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