It seems every year around this time the motorcycles start revving and the rumors start swirling. Riders start hearing that maybe this year legislation will make its way through Lansing that will allow them to choose for themselves if they wear helmet.
A viewer emailed me wondering if this year that rumor held any truth. The answers I found for him are the subject of this Fact Finder.
"I have ridden dirt bikes in the past, but now I am into the sports bikes. I would like to get in on one of those."
Matt Wagner is in the market for a new motorcycle. While he is at it, he will probably pick up a new helmet even though he has mixed feelings about wearing one.
Wagner says "For instance, Cherry Festival in Traverse City. It's hot. Traffic is pretty much at a standstill. I don't really think you need a helmet that much. But over here on the highway or anywhere else, I believe you should have one."
But Matt and other motorcycle riders here in Michigan may soon have the choice when it comes to wearing a helmet. House Bill 4907 reintroduces a motorcycle helmet law that would make it optional to wear a helmet for an increase fee.
The legislation has been introduced before. In fact in the last session the bill made it all the way to the Governor's desk where it died.
Here is how this bill would work: A motorcycle driver could pay 100 dollars per year to not wear a helmet if they meet the following requirements. They must be 21 years old, held a motorcycle license for at least 2 years, and have medical insurance to cover at least 20-thousand dollars in case of accident.
In this way, the bill is very similar to the previous ones that have failed but there are two big differences this time around. The first difference is where the fees that are collected will go.
Michael R. Moorman, President of the Michigan State Police Troopers Association says "the proceeds from that fee are charted out to go to various public safety entities so that public safety across the board benefits from that."
And that means some of the helmet fees raised could help keep the State Police from having to cut those newly graduated troopers.
Moorman says "We are working very closely with our lawmakers and the department to identity and implement other solutions as opposed to layoffs."
And the second difference which could change the outcome for this reworked bill, the shrinking revenue coming into the state's coffers.
State Representative Richard LeBlanc (D 18th District) is the sponsor of the bill and says "it maybe the financial conditions of the state necessitate some sort of a fee at least to see how the program works."
Supporter of the bill say they hope the Governor gives this bill a second chance. While they admit, it may not be everything everyone wants in a motorcycle helmet law; the bottom line is the bottom line.
Representative LeBlanc says "while my preference would be to have a bill that is free from fees the reality is that I was asked by the troopers union, to submit the bill to see if there might be an opportunity to consideration within the legislature then an appeal would be made to the governor recognizing our financial difficulties at a time when the funding that can be generated by my bill would assist public safety significantly."
So $100 per rider per year. Can that add up? I did a little math and according to the Secretary of State there are 533,000 Michigan motorcyclists in Michigan. If half paid the money to go without a helmet it would generate $26.5 million each year. If only 25% participated, it would generate $13.3 million for the state.
So what do you think? Is it a rider's right to choose to wear a helmet? Or for safety's sake should it be required? Is this a good opportunity to raise a little revenue? Or just another example of more fees we shouldn't have to pay?
Please leave your comments.
