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June 16, 2006
MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAWS FACE CONTINUED OPPOSITION
State bans on motorcycle riding without a helmet continue to be under attack. Noting a trend over the last several years toward repeal of helmet laws, a NHTSA spokeman said, "The truth is that those who are (proponents) of repeal are far more organized than proponents of mandatory helmet laws." In Michigan the legislature voted earlier this month to repeal the states helmet law, although Gov. Jennifer Granholm supports the law and is expected to veto the repeal bill.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that helmets saved 1,326 lives in 2004 and that another 671 people still might be alive had they worn helmets. Additionally, according to NHTSA, motorcycles make up less than two percent (2%) of all registered vehicles and only 0.4 percent of all vehicle miles traveled, but motorcyclists account for over nine percent (9%) of total traffic fatalities. Fatalities among motorcycle riders have increased by more than 89 percent since 1997.
Posted by MVHAP at June 16, 2006 12:20 PM