Michigan - THE FIGHT HAS BEGUN IN EARNEST

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.biami.org/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=71181
Motorcycle Helmet Repeal
11-May-2011

To all Brain Injury of Michigan members, supporters, and the overwhelming majority of Michigan residents who've already voiced their support of Michigan's current Motorcycle Helmet Law:
•Despite numerous polling over the past five years showing that over 80% of Michigan's residents do not want Michigan's current helmet law repealed;
•Despite statistics from Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and other states detailing the disastrous and deadly results of their "successful" motorcycle helmet law repeal efforts;
•Despite the added financial burden to be placed on the already over-burdened shoulders of the Michigan Medicaid system and Michigan taxpayers;
•the Michigan legislature in two short weeks is expected to pass House Bill 4008, 4608 and Senate Bill 291 authorizing the repeal of Michigan's Motorcycle Helmet Law - and Governor Snyder is expected to sign the bill into law.
That's right. The consistent efforts of the small, yet boisterous group of motorcycle riders known as A.B.A.T.E. have successfully convinced our state government that their freedom to die with the wind in their hair is more important than your wishes, your pocketbook or your vote.
Now is the time for your voice to be heard!
The Brain Injury Association of Michigan is calling on you to engage in a social media campaign to let our legislators know, in no uncertain terms, EXACTLY how you feel.
Starting today and continuing for the next two weeks, we are encouraging you to to go to the our Legislative Action Center page on our website and/or log onto the following blog posts and Facebook links and voice your collective opinions, engage in respectful dialogue; and share your personal views and experiences regarding the physical, emotional and financial hardships that can affect persons with brain injuries and their families…experiences that will be shared by more Michigan citizens as a direct result of the increased injuries and fatalities that will surely arise as a result of their ignorance.
Michigan GOP http://www.facebook.com/MichiganHouseGOP
MI Capitol Confidential http://www.facebook.com/MichCapCon
MI Senate Democrats http://www.facebook.com/MichiganSenateDemocrats
Michigan House Democrats http://www.facebook.com/MIHouseDems
Michigan House Republicans http://www.facebook.com/MichiganHouseGOP
Michigan Senate Republicans http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michigan-Senate-Republicans/71839767381
Below is a list of useful information you can use in your postings that will support our cause.
Motorcycle Helmet Repeal Brief
CDC Fact Sheet - Motorcycle Safety for Michigan
NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts - 2009

Remember – you have a voice. Your opinion matters. Collectively, we can make a difference.
We MUST make a difference, or Michigan will follow the same tragic path as Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. And that's something we cannot afford to do … literally.
Key Messages/Statistics
1.
Michigan Medicaid is already paying nearly $20 million annually (NOT including auto crashes or the more than half of all Medicaid recipients who are in managed care plans) for the care of survivors of a brain injury. Amidst soaring gas and food prices and an unstable state economy,
2.
Michigan taxpayers cannot absorb the increased public cost of care that will result from the repeal of the Motorcycle Helmet Law. Two University of Michigan studies (Trends in Motorcycle Crashes in Michigan: 1997–2002and 2002–2005, University of Michigan, Transportation Research Institute) confirm that wearing a helmet saves lives and prevents devastating and debilitating head injuries.
3.
Michael L. Prince, Director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, stated in a June 2008 press release that, "Based on analysis conducted by our office, if Michigan's mandatory motorcycle helmet law was to be repealed, the state should expect to see an annual increase of at least 30 fatalities, 127 incapacitating injuries and $129 million in economic costs."
4.
A study by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that within 30 months of Florida's 2000 Helmet Law repeal, head injury hospitalizations skyrocketed 80 percent and total cost for acute care of head injuries doubled to $44 million, not including the cost of long-term rehabilitation or the economic impact of lost wages for survivors of a serious head injury and their families.
5.
ABATE of Michigan, the organization that actively lobbies to repeal or weaken Michigan's universal helmet law, claims to represent all Michigan motorcyclists, when in fact they are a minority biker group of approximately 4,000 members. According to the Michigan Department of State, as of February 1, 2009, there were 533,005 motorcycle-license-endorsed Michigan residents. As of November 8, 2008, Michigan had 257,269 registered motorcycles; therefore, ABATE represents significantly less than 1 percent of Michigan's license-endorsed motorcyclists. It is likely that anti-helmet advocates in every state represent a very small percent of the licensed riders in that state.
6.
ABATE seems to consider the use of helmets by motorcyclists as a freedom-of-choice issue based on the American ideals of Truth and Liberty. The Constitution and the first ten amendments do not give individuals the "right to do as they please" to the detriment of other citizens. The state has a positive role in ensuring that all citizens have equal protection and justice under the law and equal opportunities to exercise the privileges of citizenship. Just as the rights of citizenship are balanced by responsibilities, such as voting and paying taxes, so too are its privileges. To enjoy the privilege of driving a car or riding a motorcycle, one must comply with certain requirements, among them being the nonintrusive requisite to buckle up or wear a helmet.
7.
The "freedom" to ride with the wind in your hair isn't free when Michigan's taxpayers are expected to pay for the selfish choice of motorcyclists who simply do not want to wear a helmet.