Monday, May 12, 2014

USA - Obama Calls for Helmet Laws – MRF News

OFF THE WIRE
obama
This week President Obama released his ideal version of a transportation bill. The proposal has a specific provision that would allow the federal government to push a mandatory helmet law, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) reports
Buried in the 350 page document is language that would amend current United States code, which provides the motorcycle safety money that would allow “the Secretary [of transportation] or the Secretary’s designee [to] engage in activities with States and State legislators to consider proposals related to motorcycle helmet use laws.”
This provision is unacceptable to the MRF. Labeled as “Support Activity” in the draft legislation, it’s a thinly, veiled stab at a mandatory national helmet law. The wording allows the Obama administration to claim that this is not a push for mandatory helmet laws due to how vague the language is. However, the Department of Transportation has never stated or even suggested allowing for rider choice when it comes to motorcycle helmets. Their official stated stance is that mandatory helmet laws are the silver bullet when it comes to motorcycle safety.
The draft is titled “Generating Renewal, Opportunity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America,” or GROW AMERICA Act. You can read the whole document here:
http://www.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/DOT_surface_reauth-FINAL.pdf
The draft legislation also has incentive grants for graduated auto licensing.
The MRF urges you to contact your Representative in the House and both of your Senators. You can reach the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. In addition, the MRF asks that you contact the White House directly and let them know you are not pleased with the helmet use provisions of President Obama’s GROW AMERICA Act. You can reach the White House several different ways from this website:http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation urges you to join your fellow freedom fighters in Washington on May 15th to lobby Congress and help stop this legislation. Please register for the event on the MRF website. If you have any questions about attending this most important day for motorcyclists, please call the MRF Washington D.C. office.
The MRF is committed to preserving your freedoms in every possible way.

COMMENT`S
It is time for All Motorcyclist to join forces and Put A Stop To The Federal Government Doing Things Like This.
Even if you wear a helmet and or want others to you should educate them and try to convince them to do so. Forcing people to do so Is Just Wrong – There needs to be Freedom Of Choice and Let Those Who Ride Decide.
I should also note there is also a Tiered Licensing as part of this and that means limiting what you ride and paying a government agency every time you change CCs of your ride.
This is a slippery slope and by that I men if the government is successful in this there is more to come. We know there are those in government want to force all riders to be similar to the programs on military bases. Helmets, boots, gloves, glasses, reflective vests etc.
Those who wear a jacket and or vest with patches on them should be especially concerned where this is headed.
The Time To Stop This Is Now Before It Gets Worse.
ROGUE