Michigan AAA goes on the offensive against biker rights
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From AAA Michigan Press Release.
Helmet Law Repeal Will Increase Health Care, Auto Insurance Costs
Total bill: $129 million in added economic costs to Michigan citizensAAA Michigan opposes several bills introduced in the House of Representatives that would allow motorcyclists to ride without their helmets. House Bills 4028, 4747, and 4907, sponsored by Representative Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland), would make helmet use optional, rather than mandatory, for those operating or riding a motorcycle.
Every year, bikers ride to Lansing to promote their narrow special interest (riding without helmets) without regard for the common good. A 2005 AAA study found nearly 90 percent of AAA Michigan members opposed a repeal of the state's mandatory motorcycle helmet law, which has served Michigan well for more than 35 years.
A 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 citizens. This is based on the experience of other states where similar measures have been enacted.
As evidenced by increased medical costs passed on to taxpayers, motorcycle deaths and long-term catastrophic injuries are on the rise. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2007, 5,154 motorcyclists were killed - a 7 percent increase over the 4,837 motorcyclists killed in 2006. In Michigan, 120 motorcyclists were killed in 2007.
NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,784 motorcyclists' lives in 2007, and that 800 more could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.
AAA Michigan urges legislators to keep Michigan's mandatory motorcycle helmet law, and encourages residents to contact their local legislators on this important issue.
Editor's Note: These sourced and unsourced "facts" cited in this post were supplied by AAA Michigan. The "opinions" stated in the AAA Michigan Press Release do not reflect the position of 1st5ive.com on this subject.
Hey Michigan AAA…. There are more motorcycle accidents because there are more motorcycles on the road. It’s a popular form of transportation which the majority of your membership ignores while they’re driving the cages, putting on make-up, talking on their cell phones and smoking with one hand on the wheel. If you think helmets save lives, where is your support for laws requiring helmets in all cars nationwide?
Talk about narrow interests…. AAA’s “facts” are totally self-serving. Explain why the fatality rate for motorcyclists in “freedom of choice” states is less than the fatality rate for motorcyclists in “mandatory helmet” states then.
Explain why for every major study funded by NHTSA and IIHS that shows that ‘helmets save lives by 39%’, there is a contradictory statement by many university studies that shows that helmets make no difference.
Explain how then the woman in IL that was wearing a helmet was killed by the driver pre-occupied by painting her nails.
Explain why the percentage of drivers on the public dole with traumatic brain injuries is ten times the percentage of motorcyclists on the public dole with traumatic brain injuries, and yet the AAA is not arguing that drivers should wear helmets.
Narrow interests? I think AAA takes the cake.