OFF THE WIRE
Bill Johnson
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/state-motorcycle-helmet-law-may-be-restored/article_1da05657-d424-53ee-9107-b208b5c36a5a.html
State motorcycle helmet law may be restored
By GEORGE MATTAR Staff Writer Calkins Media, Inc.
Police say a 53-year-old Falls man recently died needlessly when he crashed his motorcycle on May 1 in Lower Makefield.
Although no one can say for sure if David Robinson died because he wasn't wearing a helmet, Capt. Tom Roche said he believes the man could have survived had he been.
Roche said Robinson was traveling east on Quarry Road and as he approached a right-hand curve, his motorcycle crossed the center line and struck a high embankment. Robinson and his motorcycle slid about 150 feet and Roche said Robinson's head hit the pavement, causing fatal injuries.
In 2003, motorcycle enthusiasts won a big victory by having Pennsylvania's helmet law stricken, but now a western Pennsylvania lawmaker is trying to restore the law, making it mandatory to wear helmets - again.
State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, will reintroduce legislation today in Harrisburg to restore the helmet law, said his spokesman Ben Turner. Frankel is the lead sponsor of House Bill 945, a bipartisan bill that would restore the helmet requirement for people 21 or older.
State law allows motorcycle riders 21 or older to go helmetless if they have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two years or have completed a motorcycle safety course approved by PennDOT. Anyone operating a motorcycle on a learner's permit must wear a helmet regardless of age, according to PennDOT.
The representative also is expected to require additional insurance for motorcycle riders who choose not to wear a helmet. He also will introduce a bill to provide for special motorcycle license plates for riders under 21.
Frankel cited a study, which shows health care costs for the serious injuries due to cyclists not wearing helmets have been staggering.
"This study shows an incredibly dramatic increase in head injuries and hospitalizations that exceeds the increase in the number of motorcycle riders in Pennsylvania. The implications of this for health care costs are staggering and affect everyone, through tax-funded health care, health insurance premiums and covering uncompensated care," said Frankel, chairman of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation in the House. That study, done by the University of Pittsburgh, compared the two years before the repeal, 2001 and 2002, and the first two years after the repeal, 2004 and 2005, show that head injury deaths increased 66 percent and motorcycle-related head injury hospitalization increased 78 percent.
Additionally, the study shows that acute-care hospital charges for motorcycle-related head injuries increased 132 percent, and Frankel said that doesn't include long-term care and rehabilitation costs.
Roche called it "a safety issue" and while he appreciates the freedom of those who may choose to wear or not wear a helmet, he referred to Robinson's death as an example of a still young man who may have lived had he been wearing a helmet.
State Rep. Frank Farry, R-142, of Langhorne, said he would like to read the bill and data to show what the amount of serious brain injuries has been since the law was repealed before commenting.
"Motorcycle enthusiasts look to the individual freedom, but when you factor in the brain injuries and the fatals that resulted because someone wasn't wearing a helmet, it is a burden to our taxpayers," he said.
At Brian's Harley-Davidson/Buell in Middletown on Saturday, about 25 bikers were taking a break from their motorcycle rides.
About half had helmets, the rest chose not to wear one.
Two veteran Philadelphia men, who say they have been riding Harleys since the early 1970s, were seated at a picnic table enjoying an afternoon cigarette.
"I'm against them restoring the helmet law," said Charlie Everett. "I have no problem with choice, but I ride without a lid (helmet). It should be personal choice."
His friend Bob Adler, said, "Wearing a helmet confuses me. I can't stand it. I have never worn a helmet and thankfully I've never been in an accident or injured."
Adler said the bigger problem is that motorists in cars and trucks do not pay attention and cannot see motorcyclists.
"I watch all the other cars and keep a safe distance between myself and them. I sure hope they don't make us wear helmets," he said.
