Attempt to repeal helmet law fails
2006-05-02
by Lucas L. Johnson II
The Associated Press

NASHVILLE -- Legislation that would repeal Tennessee's helmet law failed once again Monday after the Senate sponsor decided against moving the bill because of its failure in the House.

The measure sponsored by Sen. Tim Burchett was scheduled for a Senate floor vote. But the Knoxville Republican decided to move it back to the calendar committee, which means it's essentially dead because a House subcommittee declined to vote on it last week.

Committee members placed it among bills to be evaluated after the Legislature hammers out the state budget.

``If we don't get any movement in the House, I don't see any reason to move it out,' said Burchett, who's been trying to pass the legislation for 12 years. ``But we'll keep trying.'

Currently, Tennessee law requires all motorcyclists and their passengers to wear approved helmets.

Burchett's legislation would modify the state law to allow riders over 21 years old who have at least $10,000 in health insurance benefits to ride without helmets.

In the House Finance Budget Subcommittee last week, members of the committee heard from both opponents and advocates, like volunteer lobbyist John Pierce, who said helmets can be problematic.

``If the chin bar is caught or restrained, immediately the chin-strap acts as a hangman's noose and breaks the rider's neck,' said Pierce, who represents motorcyclists seeking to remove the universal helmet law.

Twenty states -- including Michigan -- and the District of Columbia require all motorcycle riders to wear protective helmets, a decline from 47 states in 1975, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which is funded by the insurance industry.

In 2005 national motorcycle fatalities increased nearly 8 percent to 4,315, according to projections by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Earlier Monday, state officials urged Tennessee motorcyclists to be more responsible.

Officials from the Tennessee Department of Safety, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Governor's Highway Safety Office and members of an area motorcycle club held a press conference to kickoff National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

They encouraged motorcyclists to educate themselves before taking to the roads, citing the jump in the number of motorcycle fatalities in the last decade.

``If you plan to operate a motorcycle, it's imperative that you educate yourself by taking a professionally taught and accredited education course,' said THP Col. Mike Walker.

The number of motorcycle fatalities in Tennessee jumped from 46 in 1995 to 126 in 2005, according to the Department of Safety. About 263,000 Tennesseans are licensed to operate motorcycles.

``It's important that everyone exercise caution on the roads,' Interim Safety Commissioner Gerald Nicely said in a prepared statement. ``Riders should wear clothing that helps them stand out in traffic, as well as a helmet.'

Wayne Sawyer, a member of Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, which is composed of present and retired law enforcement officers, said the increase in motorcycle deaths justifies why Tennessee's helmet law should not be repealed.

``There's a lot of issues involved here; freedom of expression, personal rights and all,' Sawyer said. ``But from a safety perspective, I think you should always wear a helmet.'

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Wayne Sawyer, a member of Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, which is composed of present and retired law enforcement officers, said the increase in motorcycle deaths justifies why Tennessee's helmet law should not be repealed.

``There's a lot of issues involved here; freedom of expression, personal rights and all,' Sawyer said. ``But from a safety perspective, I think you should always wear a helmet.'


I think Wayne Sawyer should STFU - Looks like the Mandatory Tennessee Helmet Law isnt saving any lives since there was such a dramatic jump in deaths. A large percentage of those deaths were caused by cagers who basically get away with murdering motorcyclist with nothing more than a 40 dollar "failure to give right of way" citation. Of those 126 deaths, how many were wearing a helmet?.......would you believe All Of Them!!

 

Damnit!! I was hoping this was gonna go through.

 

I was wanting it to go through too. Out of those deaths that were not from a car failing to yield the right of way, I bet a large number come from sport bikes out there acting the fool.

 

I didnt realize this had been proposed for 12 years. Has it ever been close to passing before now?