OFF THE WIRE
Helmet law proposal passes Missouri House; legislation moves to the state
Senate
Updated: Apr 25, 2014
By Rudy Harper, Reporter -
Updated April 25, 2014: Legislation allowing motorcycle riders 21 and older
to no longer wear a helmet has passed its first hurdle in Missouri. The
legislation passed the Missouri House 93 to 56.
The legislation now moves to the state Senate.
Reported April 24, 2014: Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the
soul.
That saying is true to Noah Whitehead a rider, and sales associate at
Powersports of Joplin.
"I love it. It's just the feel of the air going past and, to me, you
actually get a better view with the helmet off also," said Whitehead.
He believes the choice to wear a helmet should be up to the rider, not
lawmakers.
"When you're on the bike there's a risk involved anyway it's just a greater
risk of course," said Whitehead.
However Kyle Aldridge is not in the same lane, he disagrees.
"I will always wear a helmet I don't care what the law does," said Aldridge.
Aldridge speaks from experience.
"I've been in some car accidents, I've been down on a bike before. I can
tell you my face would be really screwed up if I hadn't had a helmet on,"
said Aldridge.
The current law in Missouri requires motorcyclists of all ages to wear a
helmet, or face a fine up to a $25 for each offense.
A bill endorsed this week by the house would allow motorcyclists over the
age of 21 to ride without helmets.
Mercy Hospital Emergency Room Doctor Jim Riscoe says if you want to arrive
alive, wear a helmet.
"Regardless how you feel about freedom of the road you only have one brain
and you only have one life," said Riscoe.
Missouri Highway Patrol statistics show in 2012, 104 people were killed in
motorcycle crashes and more than 2,400 were injured.
"Your chances of surviving unimpaired after a motorcycle accident is slim to
none," said Riscoe.
The bill needs one more vote from the house before moving to the senate.
(a/o 24 apr )
