MI Senate OKs motorcycle helmet repeal

OFF THE WIRE
Brian Sterling
 woodtv.com
The measure next goes to Gov. Rick Snyder...
LANSING, Mich. (WOOD/AP) - Michigan lawmakers are making another attempt at repealing a state law that requires motorcyclists to wear helmets.
The state Senate gave final legislative approval to a repeal of the ban Wednesday by a 24-14 vote. The measure next goes to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, and it's not clear whether he will sign it.
Snyder has said he only wants to tackle the helmet law in the context of broader auto insurance reform. But proposals for more sweeping reforms appear stalled in the Legislature.
Under the legislation, riders 21 and older would be permitted to go without helmets after purchasing an additional $20,000 insurance rider.
It's unclear, in the event the bill becomes law, if it increase insurance costs.
Its sponsor said it won't.
"You look at states with optional helmet laws, you don't see a massive spike in insurance rates," said state Sen. Phil Pavolv (R-St. Clair)
Insurance concerns aside, safety is the main issue for many.
Douglas Furton was in a crash while riding his motorcycle on a warm morning last week.
"I always felt I could -- by being attentive and careful and not aggressive -- I felt I could mitigate the risks of riding a motorcycle," he said.
Furton said he doesn't feel that way any more.
"For me, it was about getting out and kicking around -- letting the wind go by you."
Now, Furton is wheelchair-bound as he recovers from multiple injuries including a broken pelvis, smashed vertebrae and internal bleeding.
But he didn't suffer any head injuries.
"I have no injuries to my head or my brain. The helmet did its job," said Furton .
Dr. Stephen Bloom, a rehab specialist at Mary Free Bed, said he has seen dozens of motorcycle patients within the last month.
Bloom said head injuries are catastrophic for those who are injured and expensive to treat.
"Bleeding on the brain, skull fractures, bruising or contusions -- it can lead to even brain death," said Bloom.
He said a helmet is a simple thing that decreases injury and cost.
"Use of a helmet will decrease the risk of death and if they do get in an accident, it will decrease a brain injury," Bloom said.
The Legislature has passed bills to repeal the state's mandatory motorcycle helmet law previously, but the bills were vetoed twice by then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
--The Associated Press contributed to this report.