Michigan Bill Lets Motorcyclists Forego Helmets
Michigan lawmakers are debating whether or not to allow motorcycle riders to take to the roads without helmets.
The new bill, SB 291, cleared the state Senate today, but it still faces hurdles to passage. The governor still has the option to veto the bill, which is what happened to two similar bills that had been previously passed.
A slew of requirements await those who attempt to take advantage of the passage of the bill. Riders who wish to forego the use of a helmet have to be at least 21 years old, and they have to either have two years of operation under their belt or else take part in a safety course.
Opponents of the bill have argued that it is unnecessarily placing motorcyclists in harm’s way, and that the healthcare costs of such a proposition is going to be shifted onto the common American taxpayer. Statistics were cited that showed an inordinate amount of motorcycles involved in crashes across the state, with 65% of persons killed in motorcycle crashes being people that were not wearing protective headgear.
This will be something I’m going to keep my eye on as a personal injury lawyer in San Jose. You never know when a law passed in one state will have repercussions in other places that think such a measure is a good idea. No matter what legislators decide, I hope safety remains paramount. For a San Jose car accident lawyer, safety is one of the most important things there is.
