Prepare for more RIP threads this summer..

[Tech_SA573]

If the Governor signs it, I give it a couple years before they revert to the previous law due to a significant increase in motorcycle-related deaths.

[Franklin]

it's sad, but that's natural selection for ya...

my old man is a Harley rider who has been anti-helmet for years, and always wore those thin ass shell (sad excuse for) helmets, until he wrecked on the 4th of July last year and had staples put in his head. When he got home from the hospital, he threw out 3 of his helmets and went out and bought a new quarter shell helmet and a full face... He's no longer for anti-helmet laws! Thankfully he was able to realize it before it was too late.

[FalxZZR]

Slamming your melon into the concrete can be a powerful persuasive tool~

[FalxZZR]

I thought this was a good read - MoDOT Director Pete Rahn: helmet law "makes no sense" : News : KRCG

or

Missouri Transportation Director Pete Rahn says legislation repealing the state's motorcycle helmet law "makes no sense." He says Gov. Jay Nixon should veto it.

Missouri has required motorcycle helmets for all riders since the 1960's; and for nearly as long, motorcycle organizations have fought to repeal the law.

"We teach motorcycle safety,” said Carl Hammond with the ‘Freedom of the Road Riders. “And we teach the importance of wearing a helmet. And that's how we feel it should be…an educational issue, rather than a legislative issue."

Advocates got repeal legislation to the governor's desk once before, only to see Former Gov. Mel Carnahan veto it. More recently, they found an ally in former Gov. Matt Blunt.

"As long as there are safeguards to ensure that they're in a position to financially take care of themselves if there's an accident, I'm supportive of that type of legislation," said Blunt.

Repeal advocates were unable to get the bill approved during Blunt's years in office. This year, lawmakers passed a bill that would lift the helmet requirement for riders who are at least 21 years old and not traveling on interstate highways.

"We call on Governor Nixon to veto Senate Bill 202," said Rahn.

Rahn denounced the legislation in front of the emergency room at Capital Medical Center. He was joined there by two doctors and a local motorcyclist who says he survived a 2006 accident because of his helmet.

"At age 16, I got my first motorcycle,” said crash survivor David Humphrey. “And when I got it, my father, who had wisdom I didn't understand at the time, said, 'make sure you wear a helmet.'"

Rahn cited statistics showing significant increases in motorcycle deaths within the first year in states that repealed their helmet laws. And that's only part of the cost to health care.

"There are countless folks that are injured, that have to go through long-term cognitive and physical rehabilitation programs,” said Dr. Jeffrey Coughhenour, and MU professor of surgery. “Some of the lucky ones may indeed return and be able to work again. Many of them can't."

A public survey commissioned by MoDOT found there are nine people in Missouri who want to keep the helmet requirement for every one who does not.

In response, a spokesman for Nixon said only that the governor has not yet reviewed the legislation, but plans to do so carefully.

Supporters of the repeal legislation have told the associated press that Nixon has told them he would sign it

notice this "A public survey commissioned by MoDOT found there are nine people in Missouri who want to keep the helmet requirement for every one who does not"

just shows that the only reason its passing is becuase of the lobby support for it, and not for the public good.

[FalxZZR]

Found this today. Very good read.

NTSB - Testimony of Kathryn Higgins

this was testimony of an expert to the MO transportation comitee in the Senate.

The effectiveness of appropriately designed motorcycle helmets in preventing and mitigating head injury is unequivocal. A 1991 report reviewing published studies concluded that motorcycle helmet use has lowered fatality rates, prevented serious head injuries, and reduced the need for ambulance service, hospitalization, neuro-surgical intervention, intensive care, rehabilitation, and long-term care in motorcyclist accidents. The 2003 independent Cochrane Review of published studies found that helmets substantially reduced the risk of head injury and fatality in motorcycle crashes, and found no evidence of an increased risk of any other types of injury.2 A 1996 DOT report noted that riders not wearing helmets are three times more likely to suffer brain injury than those riders wearing helmets. According to another DOT report published in 2004, helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing all fatalities in motorcycle crashes

just a snippet ^

[wanted17]

All I have to say is i am very glad i had my helmet on in both of my accidents. I will wear a helmet even if it is my nugget just to go get something to eat in town.

[FalxZZR]

Although the 2009 legislative session has ended, the negotiation process continues. At issue now is whether Go. Jay Nixon will sign bills into law, veto them, or allow them to become law without his signature.

One bill which attracted controversy during the session continues to draw substantial debate. This legislation repealed Missouriis motorcycle helmet law.

Motorcyclists traveling the highways and byways of Missouri have long been required to wear helmets, no matter the road traveled or the age of the rider. There have been attempts in the past to repeal the helmet law, but it was always a victim of bad timing.

If there was a governor in power who would sign the bill into law, the Legislature failed to land it on his desk. When it did finally gain approval in the House and Senate, it was vetoed by the late Gov. Mel Carnahan. While it usually received at least token consideration each year, it failed to gain approval until this year.

With minimal debate in either chamber, the legislation passed 23-6 in the Senate and 93-65 in the House.

More controversy came from outside the Capitol rather than inside. Some lawmakers, including the leader of the Missouri Senate, took offense to the head of MoDOT using tax dollars to conduct a poll on the issue and then use a variety of techniques to lobby the legislature to defeat the issue.

The law, which ultimately passed and is, awaiting action by Gov. Nixon, will allow riders over the age of 21 to ride without helmets unless they are on an interstate highway.

The provisions contain a sunset clause and will expire August 28, 2014, unless extended by a subsequent General Assembly and signed into law by whoever is governor at the time.

This is not an uncommon tactic to pass a bill which is controversial. With a sunset clause, it becomes a pilot project of sorts, allowing time on both sides of an issue to measure the effects of a new law. On interstates, everyone is still required to wear a helmet.

With session over, MoDOTis director is still continuing the debate as he has publicly called on Gov. Nixon to veto the bill. At this time, Gov. Nixon has not publicly commented on the bill other than to say he will give it his full consideration. If the legislation is signed into law, Missouri will join 30 other states which allow at least some degree of helmet-less motorcycling by adults.

Some more from the News Tribune. Makes me thinks Nixon is going to let it pass w/o signing it, that way in the eyes of the 80+% of Missourians who would like to see the helmet law stay, he didnt 'sign it into law', and he doesnt piss off the Republican senate by vetoing it.

Trading lives for votes and political positioning. Great job.

Full article: News Tribune - Opinion Story

[ryoung57]

Politics at work. We're all getting fucked by the lobbyists.....

[T-dawg]

I too ,will always wear my gear,dress for the slide not the ride.

[strechedraven]

slide not the ride, priceless lol