Opposition Press: Let motorcyclists go helmetless?
Posted by ABATE - Local 27 (admin) on Oct 03 2009
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Motorcycle helmets and all-rider helmet laws save lives and reduce injuries. It is sad this issue needs debate. It is irrefutable that: 1) helmets protect the head and brain; 2) when riders wear helmets, injuries and deaths from crashes are significantly reduced; and 3) when an all-rider helmet law is in effect, almost every rider wears a helmet.

The protective value of motorcycle helmets is documented by nearly 50 years of research. Every reputable safety research organization in the world supports the use of helmets as a way to reduce injury, death and economic costs resulting from brain trauma. Research also confirms that without an all-rider law, helmet use drops substantially.

A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh found that in the two years following repeal of the state of Pennsylania's motorcycle helmet law, there was a 32% increase in head injury deaths and a 42% hike in head injury-related hospitalization, even after taking into account the increase in motorcycle registrations.

Despite this overwhelming evidence, the biker group ABATE lobbies against helmet laws. Although ABATE claims it represents all motorcyclists, documents posted on its Web site state its membership is "approximately 4,000." This number is a small fraction of the 533,005 Michigan residents who have earned cycle endorsements.

Wearing a helmet is not a freedom-of-choice issue; it is a safety issue. The Constitution and the amendments do not give individuals the "right to do as they please" to the detriment of other citizens. Governments have a positive role in ensuring citizen safety.

To enjoy the privilege of driving a car, hunting deer, operating a personal watercraft or riding a motorcycle, one must comply with certain nonintrusive life-saving requirements: buckle up, display hunter orange, put your life preserver on, and wear a helmet.

While ABATE's claim of representing all motorcyclists is extremely frustrating, I am angered by its effort to garner support for its cause by creating and perpetuating myths that impede the education of motorcycle riders. It is not true that helmets cause injuries, prevent hearing traffic, reduce vision or cause heat exhaustion. Valid research confirms these claims are false.

When the "freedom of choice" and "helmets do not work" arguments did not result in ABATE getting its way, it hit at Michigan's soft spot. It claimed our all-rider helmet law costs our state a loss of tourist dollars. It paid a consultant firm to write a document to support its claim and distributed the document to our legislators. Now we have legislators publicly stating that our helmet law costs the state tourist dollars based on a document ABATE paid to have written.

It is time for reasonable motorcyclists and the nonriding public to speak up. Tell your senator and representative: 1) helmets and helmet laws work for their intended purposes, and 2) repealing or weakening our helmet law will result in increased deaths and injuries.

Dan Petterson has been involved in the education of new motorcycle riders since 1986 and the training of rider coaches since 1990. He is the founder and president of the Skilled Motorcyclist Association -- Responsible, Trained and Educated Riders Inc.
source: Dan Petterson, freep.com, October 1st 2009

Last changed: Oct 03 2009 at 10:31 PM

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