Federal gov't wants helmets on motorcyclists to be mandatory

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http://www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=542427 Federal gov't wants helmets on motorcyclists to be mandatory by Jarod Wells Posted: 11.17.2010 at 5:10 PM savesendprint Jarod Wells Jarod Wells is a News Reporter and Producer for KHQA.
Read more: Local, State, National, Health, Motorcycle, Helmet, Government, Lee County Sheriff's Department, Require, Mandatory, Federal, States
Motorcycle season may be over here in the midwest, but motorcycle safety is a hot topic in Washington D.C.
Lawmakers want states to require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets.
It cited an increased number of deaths since the late 1990's
Last year alone there were 4,400 motorcycle deaths in the United States.
Most states have some sort of helmet requirements, but three states have no requirements at all, including Illinois and Iowa.
"I think there's an increase in motorcycle fatalities because there's an increase in motorcycle riders period. It's the law of large numbers, they more motorcycles out there, the more likely you're going to have an accident," said Lee County Sheriff Jim Sholl.
Lee County Sheriff Jim Sholl is a motorcycle rider.
He thinks helmets save lives, but wearing them should be the choice of the rider.
We asked for your opinion on requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets, here's what you said.
63% of you agree with Sheriff Jim Sholl and think riders should have the choice.
26% think helmets should be required.