(Michigan) Senate passes bill to let bikers ride without helmets

AP ^ | 3-17-05 | David Eggert

[Dan from Michigan]

Senate passes bill to let bikers ride without helmets
3/17/2005, 12:08 p.m. ET
By DAVID EGGERT
The Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to let motorcyclists ride without helmets if they are at least 21 years old and meet other requirements.

After nearly two hours of debate, the Senate — which in the past has refused to change the state's mandatory helmet law — voted 21-13 to send the bill to the House.

The legislation would repeal parts of the 36-year-old law, letting riders 21 and older go without helmets if they have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two years or have taken a safety course.

Motorcyclists say they deserve a right to choose whether to wear helmets, arguing that helmets don't prevent accidents. They also note that every state surrounding Michigan gives riders the option to not wear helmets.

Opponents — hospitals, insurers and law enforcement officials — say the public should be protected from the financial risks of going without helmets.

Republican Sen. Tom George, a doctor from Portage, said the Senate was making a life-or-death decision.

He said evidence shows the number of motorcycle fatalities — currently 80 per year in Michigan — will increase by as many as 40 each year if the bill becomes law.

"They protect you. They protect your head," said George, who voted against the bill. "Passing this law will increase the number of deaths, injuries and the cost."

But Republican Sen. Bruce Paterson of Canton, who voted for the legislation, said the issue is about freedom.

"People have died so that we can be free — to allow people to be free in a free land unencumbered by big government's intrusion," he said.

[Dan from Michigan]

The roll call isn't on the website. I'll post the votes later.

It already passed the house once, so it'll likely pass again if it gets out of conference. It'll be interesting to see what Granholm does here.

[BraveMan]

Hooligan ping . . .

[martin_fierro]

Note helmet embedded in truck grille	FReeper Motorcycle Hooligan
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[corkoman]

Opponents — hospitals, insurers and law enforcement officials — say the public should be protected from the financial risks of going without helmets.

Hooey - they dont call them Donorcycles for nothing.

When a healthy young bullit-bike rider head butts a curb the kidneys alone can pay for the treatment of an ER waiting room full of illegal aliens.

So many other body parts bring in tons of cash. Donorcycles are great transplant business. Its a win-win situation. Let the riders decide if they should wear a helmet. Get the Nannies off our backs.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

How many states is that now, I know Pennsylvania, I think Virginia, and I have lost track of the others.

The bike has been down for a while, but we just got the new motor last week. It will be up and running soon!

[traumer]

"Senate passes bill to let bikers die without helmets "

[wizr]

Thanks for the ping. Bet that hurt. Makes me ache just to look at the photo.

[spunkets]

BuMp from the undead.

[Tacis]

More pro-left-wing legislation! How? Well, the plaintiffs' attorneys support the dems and the dems take care of them. A "no mandatory helmet" law will mean that these lawyers will represent many more families of dead bikers against everyone in the world with deep pockets. The dems pay off like a slot machine!

[Dan from Michigan]

It's not left wing. ABATE is strongly republican leaning.

[spunkets]

He blew his mind out on the road.
He didn't notice that the truck was big.

A crowd of people stood and stared.
Can't see his face no more.

So nobody was realy sure that he was from the house of rubs.

[BraveMan]

Click the map to view the various state statutes.

"I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough
to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion."
Thomas Jefferson

[spunkets]

" A "no mandatory helmet" law will mean that these lawyers will represent many more families of dead bikers against everyone in the world"

Bikers don't dump their responsibility on other folks.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

i think if your riding choppers or fatboys helmets you can be light on the helmet rules,but if its japanese crotch rockets then i think it should be mandatory

[JoeSixPack1]

OK,, we need new laws!!

We need a law that says anyone driving a cage MUST wear a brain. It seems that cage drivers have been fast and loose with their respective brains when driving and the cost of medical, dental and sheetmetal repair, replacement and rehabilitation is ever rising. This is a problem that is clearly solvable, but ignored by our legislatures.

Allowing cage drivers to drive with no brain has already costs thousands of lives, billions in property damage and untold pain and suffering because of lost or destroyed lives.

If you MUST wear a seatbelt, by law, why have brains never been addressed as a safety feature? Is it because of the advancements in technology that allow people to drive who have NEVER had a brain to begin with? Or is it that people leave their brains at the office, or the coffee shop or even inside their cell phone flipper?

Anyone driving a cage without a brain (IE: a certain ex-Gov of S. Dakota, or a current senator from Mass, or a certain freeper barrister with a Honda) whether intoxicated, medicated or just plain old aggravated from the days' trials and tribulations needs to prove themselves brainful enough to operate any vehicle with a BHP rating of 15 or more, each and every time they get behind the steering wheel.

Driving without a brain is ignorant. Claiming freedom of choice to drive without a brain is morally wrong and is a plague on society.


BRAINS -- Don't leave home or start your cage without them!

PS- Riding a motorcycle without your brain is a societal-self-correcting affliction known as death-by-stupid.

(Now back to our regularly scheduled helmet argument)

[peacebaby]

So what's your take on mandatory helmet laws?

[bicyclerepair]

Here in S. FL I see tons of idiots, I mean donorcyclists riding with no helmet on. BUT I'LL GET A TICKET FOR NOT BUCKLING UP IN MY CAR. What's going on in this country?

[Happy Flyer]

The issue is really is if the government can mandate that you protect yourself. For actual numbers, if anyone in or on a vehicle was required to wear a helmet, the injuries prevented would be much greater in cars than on motorcycles. I think the laws requiring seat belts and helmets are far beyond what the Constitution says.

Once you give the government authority to limit what you do, or to specify required actions such as helmets, there is no limit.

I have been riding motorcycles since '63 and I do wear a helmet based on the value that I place on my head.

[martin_fierro]

I never know what the hell you're talking about, but I sure do enjoy reading your stuff.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

I think it should be the riders choice. I agree with the new laws that require age and experience clauses. I have seen many new riders make costly mistakes.