Mich Senate upsets AAA

The Michigan Senate voted to repeal the mandatory helmet law and AAA doesn't like it one bit:

DEARBORN, Mich., June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AAA Michigan strongly opposes legislation approved by the Michigan Senate late yesterday (June 28) which --if approved by the House -- would repeal Michigan's nearly four-decade old mandatory motorcycle helmet law.

Not sure why they care.  They're the American AUTOMOBILE Association.

Senate Bill 291 -- approved by a vote of 24 to 14 -- allows individuals 21 years of age or older to ride without a helmet if they have a medical policy of $100,000 in place.  A sunset provision was also placed in the bill which would automatically repeal the helmet law four years after the effective date of the bill – unless the legislature acts again.

Not a bad idea: people who take risks should be prepared to bear the cost of them.  And since injuries to helmeted riders typically cost 70%-80% as much, have them carry $80k in coverage, too.  Or maybe just let the hatless folks carry $20k to cover the difference.  Nah, leave it at $100k/$80k. After all, the biggest risk in riding a cycle with or without headgear is riding a cycle.

The bill also requires the Department of State to perform a study of accidents, injuries and fatalities during those four years – if the bill becomes law.  

Another good idea.  I predict a recommendation to keep the repeal.

AAA Michigan opposes any change to the current mandatory motorcycle helmet law –   repealing the current  law will result in more motorcycle fatalities and injuries and higher costs for all motorists.

Despite what you've heard, it hasn't worked that way here in Florida.  Here's my standing bet: when the next Florida DOT releases its annual Crash Facts report, the death rate among riders who crash wearing helmets will be higher than among the bareheads.  I win about half the time.

A spring poll of some 600 likely Michigan voters by Marketing Research Group (MRG), Inc. of Lansing shows that 81 percent of the state's residents believe the current helmet law should be maintained.  Only sixteen percent said Michigan motorcycle riders should not be required to wear a helmet.

Surveys of AAA Michigan members over many years also confirm overwhelming support.  This year, 90 percent favored the current helmet law.

This is what nannies do.  A bunch of likely non-bikers have been surveyed about how bikers should do their thing.

However, challengers of the state's mandatory helmet law annually try to get it repealed without regard for the common good or the will of the public.  An Office of Highway Safety Planning analysis found that a repeal of the law would result in at least 30 additional motorcycle fatalities each year, along with 127 more incapacitating injuries and $129 million in additional economic costs to citizens.

I haven't looked into this yet, but I will.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that in the three years after Florida's repeal of its mandatory helmet law there was an 81 percent increase in fatalities.

The same report also mentioned that the number of accidents increased about 60% (which explains three fourths of the increase in fatalities) and admits it couldn't determine how much of the jump was due to repeal of the helmet requirement.

Motorcycle crashes account for a disproportionate share of money paid out of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA), a fund supported by a surcharge on every auto insurance policy in the state.  While motorcyclists represent two percent of the assessment paid into the MCCA, they account for five percent of money paid. They represent 7.3 percent of all claims reported to the MCCA.

So why are the cyclists being undercharged?  This is an insurance issue, not a helmet issue.  In fact, since this is a Michigan organization and helmets are required, most of the injured riders were wearing them.  

AAA Michigan urges legislators to keep Michigan's mandatory motorcycle helmet law, and encourages Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.   To contact Gov. Snyder, send an email to Rick.Snyder@michigan.gov. To contact your local legislator, go to: www.legislature.mi.gov.