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http://www.newsjunkyjournal.com/pennsylvania-reconsidering-repealed-motorcycle-helmet-law/2519980 Pennsylvania Reconsidering Repealed Motorcycle Helmet Law
Previously Repealed Helmet Law Reconsidered In Pennsylvania
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, only 21 states have laws requiring motorcyclists of any age to wear helmets. Twenty-four require a helmet for anyone on a bike under a certain age, and three states have no legislation at all.
Pennsylvania is among those states requiring anyone under the age of 21 to have a helmet while riding or operating a motorcycle. During the 2011 legislative session, however, the Daily Local News (DLN) of Chester County reported that Rep. Dan Frankel tried to repeal this law, which has been in effect since 2003.
Legislative Opposition
Rep. Frankel quoted a University of Pittsburgh study to the DLN which found motorcycle deaths from head injuries increased by 66 percent after the current law was passed. He defends his new bill because “studies show helmets save lives and the increase in deaths necessitate a change in the law.”
Of course, as with most new laws, there was opposition. The Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education of Pennsylvania (Alliance) voiced their disapproval of the bill by arguing the studies Rep. Frankel relied upon were conducted before the bill was passed in 2003 and led to faulty conclusions.
The DLN notes that the state of Pennsylvania conducted its own study showing the fatality rate remained nearly unchanged after the 2003 bill passed. Also, many believe the primary reason the number of deaths has gone up is because there are more riders on the road, but the percentage of riders killed has actually gone down. Likewise there are those who believe deaths do not result from head trauma, but from trauma to the rest of the body.
Two Other Helmet Bills
In case his bill failed, Rep. Frankel also introduced two other bills with his helmet proposal. One of the bills would require more insurance for riders who chose not to wear helmets and the other would require special license plates for police to easily identify drivers who are under the age of 21.
Regardless of whether motorcyclists wear a helmet or not, it is important to maintain safe riding practices to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. If someone has been involved in a motorcycle accident, or has questions about the current law in Pennsylvania, they are encouraged to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
