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Mackinac Center for Public Policy
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2009 House Bill 4138: Require extra insurance for helmetless motorcycle rider
  1. Introduced by Rep. Kathy Angerer (D) on February 4, 2009, to require motorcyclists who choose to ride without a helmet to purchase and pay for the unlimited personal injury protection (PIP) required for other vehicle owners under the state no-fault automobile insurance law.
    • Referred to the House Regulatory Reform Committee on February 4, 2009.
      • Reported in the House on March 24, 2010, with the recommendation that the bill be referred to the Committee on Insurance.

Comments

Re: 2009 House Bill 4138 (Require extra insurance for helmetless motorcycle rider )  by Freerider on March 29, 2010 

 There is overwhelming research that wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle is a safer option than not wearing a helmet.


 


Where exactly are you getting this "overwhelming research?"  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a government agency none-the-less, the fatality RATE, as in fatalities per 10,000 bikes registered, is slightly lower in free states. 5.4 compaired to 5.6 in helmet states.  Virtually no difference. Even if these numbers were reversed it would not be enough of a difference to justify taking away an individuals freedom of choice. I personally don't care for the seat-belt law, but I cannot make the same arguement. Seat-belts do make a difference, helmets don't. If they did, then EVERY state would have a helmet law. Just as every state has a seat-belt law. The fact that more states DON'T have a helmet law than do should tell you something.


I'm sure you believe your opinion and I do understand the non-riders viewpoint. But the facts simply do not support the pro-helmet rhetoric.



Re: 2009 House Bill 4138 (Require extra insurance for helmetless motorcycle rider )  by chrisrich on June 30, 2009 

To me it just makes sense for everyone to wear a helmet. You can surivie a broken neck....but not a broken head. Where I am from, helmets are the law. It has not afftected my enjoyment of riding at all.



Re: 2009 House Bill 4138 (Require extra insurance for helmetless motorcycle rider )  by rjollis on June 7, 2009 

The use of safety equipnent is the RIGHT of the user.  The state has no right to tell me what to wear on my head or on my ass.  If the state of Michigan politicians would tend to performing their elected responsibilities the state would not be in the mess that it is.



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