REPEAL MICHIGAN"S HELMET LAW?

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.freep.com/article/20100701/OPINION02/7010334/1322/NO-Motorcyclists-without-helmets-would-lead-to-deaths REPEAL MICHIGAN"S HELMET LAW? NO: Motorcyclists without helmets would lead to deaths BY STEVE WAGNER

We are dismayed that any candidate for governor in Michigan would support the repeal of Michigan's mandatory motorcycle helmet law. It is disappointing that anyone running for public office -- let alone the highest office in our state -- would consider the wishes of a very small minority over the safety and financial interests of 95% of our state's population.

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Moreover, the reason these candidates offer for their stance is as old as our four-decades long mandatory helmet law. The belief that allowing motorcycle riders to ride without a helmet would increase Michigan tourism has never been borne out by the experience of states that have repealed their helmet law. AAA Michigan has been a strong tourism booster for this state for nearly a century, but we see no evidence that our state's tourism coffers would increase as a result of this repeal.

In fact, our state is facing a historic budget crisis. Schools and universities are seeing unprecedented cutbacks, and citizens are being asked to sacrifice to obtain basic services. Approving a law that represents $129 million in additional economic costs to Michigan citizens makes no sense.

Simply stated, a repeal of the helmet law would increase motorcycle fatalities and injuries and would increase costs for all motorists. The repeal would result in at least 30 more motorcycle fatalities each year, along with 127 more incapacitating injuries.

Motorcycle crashes account for a disproportionate share of money paid out of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, a fund that is supported by a surcharge on every auto insurance policy in the state. While motorcyclists represent 1.9% of the assessments paid into the MCCA, they account for 5% of all money paid out and 7% of all claims reported. Since its inception in 1978, MCCA has reimbursed member insurers more than $321 million for 712 motorcycle injury claims exceeding the threshold.

A 2005 survey found nearly 90% of AAA Michigan members oppose a repeal of the state's helmet law -- a law that AAA worked to help get passed. The "personal choice" issue of whether to wear a helmet carries little weight against the argument for safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that helmets saved 1,784 motorcyclists' lives in 2007, and that 800 more could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.

Allowing motorcyclists to ride without helmets would result in additional costs that would be shouldered by all Michigan residents -- through higher insurance premiums, lost productivity and increased health care costs.

On behalf of our 1.6 million AAA Michigan members, we urge our candidates for public office -- and current legislators -- to support Michigan's mandatory motorcycle helmet law.

Steve Wagner is president of AAA Michigan.