This will drive the Hoosier road warriors insane:
Bucking a tide of resistance in state capitals and a free-spirited breed of motorcyclists, the National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday said states should require riders to wear federally approved helmets.
The recommendation comes after a five-year trend of steadily rising motorcycle deaths was reversed in 2009, when 4,462 riders died in crashes. The most recent data, from 2008, indicated that 65 percent of motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets.
Yes, but 100 percent of those killed in motorcycle accidents were riding motorcycles, so let's just ban the things. This probably isn't worth getting too worked up over, since the NTSB doesn't have the authority to require the helments. Congress tried to tie the requirement to getting federal highway money, the same way it did seat belt use, but "after nine years of lobbying by motorcycle groups, Congress returned the decision-making power to the states."
Comments
I'm a rider and I've lived in states that required helmets. Here's what always happens: Bikers buy cheap, thin plastic things that look like helmets, but are not DOT approved. Then they buy decals that say "DOT approved" and apply them.
The police know that if they issue a ticket for a fake helmet, the rider will simply show up in traffic court with a real helmet and claim it's the one he was wearing.
The cops know this and don't bother to enforce the law.
Bikers rarely hurt people in other, larger vehicles. Leave them alone. It's their head and it should be their decision.
Worlds collide, Littlejohn and I agree!
I understand it's snowing in hell, Tim.
Bikers have the most effective lobby in the country...what lawmaker wants 500 Harley's circling their house at 2 am:)