Michigan is helmet free?
Whoever wrote that is effin' BLIND.
I talked to two helmetless riders today who said they were paying $35 per bike for the insurance. You are right though, it's an amendment not a repeal! In my opinion it's still a bullshit law! I will have to call my insurance co. and see. What they have for a price now. I probably still won't pay it. It's all about how much they can bleed us.
I can guarantee you that what ever they bought for $35 per bike it is not what they need.
They are blowing smoke up your ass or their Ins Agent has no idea what they need.
Unfortunately there is going to be a lot of confusion on just what is needed. Even the State Abate Legislative Director got the wrong Insurance the first time around.
What information must an out of state rider provide to law enforcement and the courts?
If your from out of State you don't have to provide one damn fucking thing, so you get a free ride and I don't because I live in this State.
The ink was barely dry on the governor's signature when Len Noe, 37, of Superior Township took to the roads on his Harley-Davidson DynaGlide, Police Edition. He said he's waited decades for the requirement to be lifted.
"This is a great day," Noe said. "People who don't ride don't get it.
"For me it's the closest thing to freedom that I've ever felt."
Bob Marantette, 61, who works for ABC Harley-Davidson in Waterford, said even though wearing a helmet is no longer the law, he'll still occasionally put one on.
"I'll wear it in bad weather or if the traffic is heavy. For me the best way to avoid a crash is to drive defensively: Watch out for the other guy," he said.
The repeal of the law was opposed by auto insurers and health care providers who said it will result in higher insurance rates and more deaths and injuries. Critics also complained the law will be difficult to enforce, because there is no provision, such as a license plate sticker, to let police know who meets the requirements.
George Zimmermann, vice president of Travel Michigan with the Michigan Economic Development Corp., said he believes the new law will bring riders to the state, but admitted there's no data to support that suggestion.
"We've had out-of-state motorcycle clubs call, and they don't want to come to Michigan because of the helmet requirement," he said. "I think this will result in an increase of out-of-state clubs coming to Michigan."
Motorcyclists can forgo a helmet if they are at least 21 years old, carry at least $20,000 in medical insurance on their auto insurance policy and have either passed a motorcycle safety course or had their motorcycle endorsement for at least two years.
Passengers also must be 21 or older to go helmetless, and there has to be an additional $20,000 in insurance for the passenger, bought either by the passenger or the motorcycle driver.
Jeremy MacDonald, a board member of the Professional Insurance Agents of Michigan, said he's glad the new law will require motorcyclists to carry medical coverage. But he said he had hoped lawmakers would have made the helmet repeal part of no-fault insurance reform, as Snyder had requested.
Adding $20,000 in medical coverage will cost the average rider $200 or more annually, MacDonald said. Some companies might not have a $20,000 option available yet, so motorcyclists might have to shop around.
"Motorcycle riders will now have to purchase medical, which is good," MacDonald said. But "how is an officer supposed to know if somebody's purchased the medical coverage?"
The Michigan State Police issued a "legal update" for troopers Friday explaining that the law does not require motorcyclists to carry proof they have the extra medical coverage or have met the training or experience requirement. Officers cannot stop a motorcyclist for not wearing a helmet based on a belief the operator or passenger may be in violation of the helmet law.
Violating the law is a misdemeanor punishable by a $100 fine and 90 days in jail, said state Sen. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair, who sponsored the bill.
"While many motorcyclists will continue to wear helmets, those who choose not to deserve the latitude to make their own informed judgments as long as they meet the requirements of this new law," Snyder said in a press release. He signed the legislation Thursday and announced the repeal Friday morning.
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson will tape a public service announcement next week to encourage motorcyclists to take an approved safety course and to follow safe driving practices, department spokeswoman Gisgie Gendreau said.
Negative reaction by AAA
AAA of Michigan spokeswoman Nancy Cain said the automobile club was "extremely disappointed" in the repeal.
The law "will increase motorcycle fatalities and injuries," Cain said.
"The repeal of the motorcycle helmet law will result in at least 30 additional motorcycle fatalities each year, along with 127 more incapacitating injuries and $129 million in added economic costs to Michigan residents. This analysis … is based on the experience of other states where similar measures have been enacted."
But Vince Consiglio, president of American Bikers Aiming Toward Education, or ABATE of Michigan, said in a statement helmet laws haven't cut the cost of insurance.
"Motorcycle accidents are a very small percentage of accidents overall," he said. "Data from other states demonstrate that states that remove mandatory helmet laws do not see an increase in insurance premiums, and states that institute helmet laws do not see a corresponding decrease in insurance rates."
The Traffic Improvement Association of Michigan issued a statement saying it was "saddened" to hear Snyder signed the repeal.
Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm twice had vetoed repeals of the motorcycle helmet law.
State Sen. Vincent Gregory, D-Southfield, voted no on the bill when it came up in the Legislature.
"It's been touted that it may bring in some business, but the costs are overwhelming," Gregory said. "If there are accidents they will be catastrophic, and we will end up paying for this.
"If you go to the emergency room, that $20,000 will mean nothing."
Michigan joins other states
Michigan becomes the 31st state to give motorcyclists the option of not wearing a helmet. Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pennsylvania have repealed or amended helmet-use laws.
ichigan implemented its helmet-use law in 1967 to comply with U.S. Department of Transportation requirements for federal funds. That requirement is no longer in place.
Micheal Haven of Clarkston, 42, said now he doesn't have to go out-of-state to ride helmet-free.
"Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky are three states that I ride around a lot because they don't require helmets," he said.
The law also means freedom from having to carry around a helmet, Haven noted.
"I'll even be able to go to the airport, because I won't have to (board a plane with) my helmet," he added.
But Marantette said he's waiting for the other boot to drop.
"It's very possible that automobile and motorcycle insurance rates will go up because of this," said Marantette, a member of the Forbidden Wheels Motorcycle Club in Brighton.
"You're dealing with politicians and they don't give you anything unless they get something in return. I've got the feeling something is going to come back to bite us."
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120414/METRO/204140354/Motorcycle-riders-can-finally-take-off-helmets-Michigan?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cp
It is possible - You are right.
Times change. Principles shouldn't.
Our political enemies have used incrementalism successfully against us for 100 years.
We are losing many battles due to incrementalism.
Isn't it time we start using it against them?
It looks like the job is 1/2 done in Michigan.
How many of our great fighters gave up and went away because they never got to experience at least the taste of a small victory?
Would you pack up and go home if California went to helmets for 20 and younger?
I wouldn't change a thing.
