Repeal of Michigan's motorcycle helmet law gets new push

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.freep.com/article/20110608/NEWS06/106080384/Repeal-Michigan-s-motorcycle-helmet-law-gets-new-push
Repeal of Michigan's motorcycle helmet law gets new push

BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF
DETROIT FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF Filed Under Local News Michigan LANSING -- A new push to repeal a decades-old law requiring Michigan motorcyclists to wear helmets began when a committee voted Tuesday to send a bill to repeal the requirement to the state Senate.
This time the issue has new mystery: No one knows whether Gov. Rick Snyder would sign a bill to repeal the law.
Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm twice vetoed bills to repeal the helmet law. Supporters are confident the Republican-led Senate and House both would vote for repeal.
Snyder has said he would support the change if other motorists didn't pay more as a result.
The Senate Transportation Committee passed the bill 4-1 with four Republicans votes for and one Democrat against.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair, would allow motorcyclists 21 and older to ride without a helmet after they have been licensed to ride for at least two years and completed a safety course.
"We're not opposed to helmets, but it should be a choice," said Vince Consiglio, representing ABATE, a group advocating ending the helmet law.
Many medical and insurance organizations are lobbying to keep the current law, which they say reduces serious injuries and deaths in motorcycle accidents. Medical costs for riders injured without helmets are four times costlier than for those injured while wearing helmets, says the National Transportation Safety Board.
Michigan bikers are not required to buy medical insurance. But bikers hurt in accidents with other vehicles are covered for medical treatment through the no-fault policy of the other driver.
Explaining his no vote, Sen. Morris Hood III, D-Detroit, cited safety issues and the difficulty for police to tell the age of a helmet-less biker.
Committee chairman Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, said he would like the repeal approved before the Legislature's summer break begins next month.
He said he favors the bill because many Upper Peninsula motorcyclists vacation in Wisconsin, where they aren't required to wear a helmet.
Advocates of the helmet law say repeal would lead to more badly injured, uninsured motorcyclists who cost insurance companies and their policyholders or government.