For over 40 years, Missouri has required all motorcycle riders to wear a safety helmet when operating a motorcycle on any roadway in the state.  These helmet laws throughout our country have been somewhat controversial over the years.  Proponents argue that the laws reduce traffic fatalities.   Opponents argue that individuals have the right to make their own decisions regarding using this type of safety feature and the Legislature should not be making those decisions for others.

It appears as though this law is about to change in Missouri.  The Missouri General Assembly has sent a bill to the governor that would repeal the helmet requirements for some motorcycle riders.  Helmets would still be required for riders under 21 years of age or those using the interstate highway system.  The law would also sunset on August 28, 2014.  Motorcycle groups have been applauding the measure that joins 27 other states with only partial laws regarding helmets.

Studies on motorcycle fatalities in relationship to helmets are interesting.  Three states were cited as references in a recent newspaper article from the Kansas City Star.  In 1997, Texas and Arkansas repealed motorcycle helmets for riders 21 years or older.  The first full year after the repeal, motorcycle deaths increased by 21% in Arkansas.  They increased by 31% in Texas.  A similar change to the law in Florida saw a 71% increase in fatalities in the two years after the helmet law was changed.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 7:53 am and is filed under Motorcycle Accidents. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.