Tennessee lawmakers have once again turned back a measure that would make helmets optional for experienced motorcycle riders over 25 who take safety courses and agree to carry added liability and medical insurance.The legislation stalled last week in the state Senate Finance Ways and Means Committee. Its companion bill has been parked after clearing the state House Transportation Committee earlier this month.Tennessee is one of 19 states with a universal helmet law that requires all motorcyclists to wear protective head gear.Supporters of legislation to make the law optional for qualified adults question the actual safety benefits of helmets. On the other hand, proponents of the current law say the number of fatal motorcycle accidents prove it’s time for state officials to take even more forceful measures to remind motorcyclists in Tennessee that wearing a helmet is a good idea.The U.S. Department of Transportation released figures a few years ago that show motorcycle death rates have more than doubled in the past decade. While motorcycles represent just 2.5 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States, more than 11.3 percent of all traffic deaths involve a motorcycle.In recent years, federal transportation officials have pushed for national training standards for motorcyclists. These standards would require beginner riders to achieve a certain level of proficiency on their bikes before taking to the highways.This federal initiative also has included a national campaign to remind motorcyclists to wear their helmets on the highway. Studies indicate that wearing a helmet can help motorcyclists reduce their risk of head injury in crashes by up to 85 percent. Federal highway safety officials have even reported a helmet can help protect a rider from brain injury by up to 88 percent. Safety officials say there are two very compelling reasons not to repeal Tennessee’s current helmet law. One is the fact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 45 percent of motorcycle drivers killed in highway crashes were not wearing helmets. The second is a report prepared by the state General Assembly’s Fiscal Review Committee in 2007 that found the rate of head injuries increased by 80 percent in Florida and 77 percent in Kentucky after those states repealed their mandatory helmet laws. We want to hear from you. Should wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle be optional for adults in Tennessee? Send your comments to Mailbag, P.O. Box 1717, Johnson City, TN 37605-1717, or mailbag@johnsoncitypress.com. Please include your name, telephone number and address for verification.
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