NHTSA Update

OFF THE WIRE
I ain't trying to start another discussion about the AMA nor pick the nits in this release. Just passing along their Action Alert to let the NHTSA Administrator know that throwing a helmet at motorcycle safety ain't the answer. Some of y'all may not want to use the AMA e-mail form. If someone can easily find his direct or personal e-mail address, please share that with the rest of us.
Hickory Doc

Update: AMA seeks clarification by NHTSA Administrator regarding helmet use comments
Update: AMA Seeks Clarification by NHTSA Administrator Regarding Helmet Use CommentsTake Action!

Contact the NHTSA Administrator Today!

On March 25, Administrator David Strickland of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made comments about helmet use to U.S. Representative John Olver (D-Mass.). These comments were made at a Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations hearing regarding the fiscal year 2011 Budget Request for the NHTSA.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) sent Administrator Strickland a letter, dated April 2, 2010, seeking clarification on his comments. It is the AMA's understanding that Strickland stated the following: (1) safety grants are important and need to be continued; (2) the "core" of motorcycle safety programs is to instill helmet use; (3) helmet use has a direct correlation to motorcycle fatalities; and (4) anything congress can do to get folks to wear helmets is welcomed, including possible penalties.

In our letter, the AMA asked, "What is meant by your reference to the "core" of a motorcycle safety program is to instill helmet use? Additionally, you advocated the use of possible penalties if adult riders choose not to wear protective gear. Does this mean administrative and/or legislative action towards states and/or individual riders if adults choose not to wear protective equipment?"

In a response to the AMA letter, dated May 19, Administrator Strickland clarified his comments at the hearing by stating, "The core component of our program has not changed; it is to increase helmet use. This means that NHTSA recognizes that no other single countermeasure offers a comparable body of supporting scientific evidence confirming its potential for saving the lives of motorcyclists. With finite resources and the severity of the motorcycle fatality problem, we need to focus efforts on countermeasures that are known to be most effective." To view the letter, click here.

The AMA needs your help to ask what Administrator Strickland and NHTSA is doing to prevent crashes from occurring in the first place and to make crash prevention the core of any motorcycle safety program. The fastest way to reach Strickland is to send a pre-written e-mail to him immediately by following the "Take Action" option and entering your information.

For more information about how to protect your right to ride, please visit the "Get Involved" section of the AMA web site. For direct access, click here.

We urge you to write Strickland today and ask him to identify measures NHTSA is doing to prevent crashes from occurring. Please forward this alert to friends and family to help spread the message.

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