MICHIGAN - No helmet legislation losing voters poll shows

OFF THE WIRE
A new poll says a majority of likely Michigan voters opposes proposed changes to state law that would let some adults ride motorcycles without helmets.
The poll from EPIC/MRA released Friday says 68% of those surveyed oppose the legislation; 31% favor it, and 1% is undecided.
The telephone poll of 600 respondents was conducted July 9 through Monday and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
The Michigan Senate has approved a bill that would allow riders 21 and older to ride without a helmet if they have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for two years or have passed a safety course. Motorcyclists also would be required to buy a minimum of $100,000 insurance coverage for injuries.
The measure is pending in the House.
Supporters of the current helmet law say repealing it would result in more serious injuries from motorcycle accidents, which would add to insurance costs for non-bikers.
Michigan State Police say motorcycle fatalities are on the rise across the nation, and Michigan experienced a 21% increase in motorcyclist deaths -- from 92 in 2009 to 111 in 2010.
Opponents of mandatory helmets say wearing one should be a personal choice, and that requiring them keeps many bikers from other states away.
According to a Web site that tracks helmet laws by state, four states are helmet-free; 20 require helmets for all riders; 19 exempt those older than 18, and seven exempt those older than 21.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110716/NEWS06/107160363/No-helmet-legislation-losing-voters-poll-shows