Support Senate Bill 480. Let Those Who Ride Decide

There are a lot of letters being written, across the country, wherever there is a helmet law and active legislation to repeal or allow exceptions. Perhaps some of you can get some ideas from this one which went to the NC Senate Transportation Committee. The actual title of the bill, S480, is Let Those Who Ride Decide.
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I urge the NC Senate Transportation Committee to support SB 480. Let Those Who Ride Decide.

Motorcycles are the original green vehicle, with almost twice the fuel mileage as passenger automobiles, and half the traffic congestion and half the parking footprint. As such, their use should be encouraged. Motorcycle helmets are a terrible nuisance, often torturous, and can be dangerous*.

Reference: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigations, complaints database, and recalls database. http://ns3.us/odi
In just 3 years since the end of 2007, there has been a 2000% increase in the number of official complaints about motorcycle helmets than there were in the previous 12 years since 1995.
All but 20 states allow adults to make their own decision. Of the remaining 20 states, most have active repeal legislation. North Carolina has opposed this individual liberty for 40 years.
As a medical student, I worked in hospital emergency rooms. As an avid motorcyclist for 43 years, I have studied this issue extensively, I refuse to wear a helmet. Instead, I have studied the laws, and have taught many people in North Carolina how to fight helmet tickets in court. One ticket issued to me resulted in a 2 day trial in Superior Court, and cost the state an estimated $8000. The trooper had to commute from Yadkin County, keeping him away from patrol for several days. During the two day trial, cases regarding actual criminals were not heard. The judge was furious at the legislators for passing such bad legislation. This is also true of other judges I have appeared before. From what I understand, DA and judges across the state now refuse to allow helmet tickets to go to trial. Courts should be used for trying criminals rather than trying good people of principle who believe in individual liberty in America.
Please support Senate Bill 480 as an acknowledgment of individual liberty and the right to decide. If the bill is enacted, those who want the false sense of safety which helmets provide will still be able to wear them.

Janice MacKay
Publisher, NC Home Media Network Trust
Senate District 15
State Director of B.O.L.T.
National Director, Bikers USA