OFF THE WIRE
http://tribune-democrat.com/editorials/x862967842/Helmet-debate-begins-Helmet debate begins anew
NTSB puts issue on ‘most wanted’ list Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat The Tribune-Democrat Wed Nov 26, 2010, 01:00 AM EST
— While most area motorcyclists are preparing their cycles for winter storage, federal safety officials have created an atmosphere for heated debate over the cold months ahead.
The topic? Mandatory helmet use nationwide, sure to stir a fuss in Pennsylvania, where, for the past half-dozen years, a majority of riders have had the option of going helmetless.
Editorially, The Tribune-Democrat consistently has encouraged motorcycle riders to wear helmets, believing that helmets do, in fact, save lives and in many cases prevent serious head injuries.
But we have been just as adamant in maintaining that riders should have the right to choose.
Educating riders on the pros – and cons – of headgear use and presenting to them unbiased statistics will help them make wise decisions.
The National Traffic Safety Board and others say that’s not enough.
NTSB last week called on states to require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets, citing a surge in fatalities since the late 1990s.
Pennsylvania Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, is ahead of the game. He is lead sponsor of House Bill 1253, which would restore Pennsylvania’s helmet law.
“In addition to preventing the tragic, unnecessary loss of lives, restoring our helmet law would help to reduce costs for taxpayers, who ultimately pay the tab for the reckless choice not to wear a helmet,” he said.
“Private and public insurers, as well as hospitals,
often provide uncompensated care for patients who have suffered traumatic and disabling injuries after failing to wear a helmet.
“Those costs in turn are absorbed by consumers and taxpayers.
It’s a compelling argument we’ve heard before.
Even more, NTSB says, there were 4,400 motorcycle deaths in the United States last year, more than in all aviation, rail, marine and pipeline accidents combined.
That’s nearly twice the fatalities of a decade ago.
Not surprising is that head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes.
Twenty states and the District of Columbia require that riders wear helmets. Most states have limited helmet requirements, and three states – Iowa, Illinois and New Hampshire – have no requirement.
At one time, nearly all states had universal helmet laws when they were necessary for full federal highway funding. But in the
mid-1990s Congress repealed the requirement, leaving the issue up to states to decide.
In 2003, sate Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, led Pennsylvania’s successful effort to repeal its helmet law, although certain riders still are required to wear headgear.
NTSB said it was putting its helmet recommendation on its annual list of “most wanted” safety improvements to spotlight the issue and pressure governors and state legislatures to act.
“People have to get outraged about this safety issue that is causing so many deaths needlessly,” NTSB Vice Chairman Christopher Hart said.
Here’s food for thought for those who will debate the call for strict helmet laws nationwide:
Years ago, the feds wanted every state to beef up their DUI laws by lowering blood-alcohol rate conviction limits to .08 percent. For most, that meant bringing the rate down by .02 percentage points.
Those hesitant or unwilling to do so faced the prospect of decreased federal highway dollars.
It was an offer the states couldn’t refuse.
Hold onto your hat. No one should be surprised if similar “convincing” is concocted by the NTSB as it looks for helmet law provisions nationwide.
Let the debates begin anew.
