Assembly OKs Motorcyclist Helmet Bill

The Assembly on Thursday narrowly passed legislation that would require all motorcycle riders and their passengers to wear crash helmets.

A 41-24 vote, the bare majority of Assembly membership required for approval, sent the bill to the Senate where passage also is expected.

Gov. George Deukmejian vetoed similar legislation last year. But the sponsor of this year’s bill, Assemblyman Richard Floyd (D-Carson), said he hoped the governor could be persuaded to sign the latest measure.

In last year’s veto message, Deukmejian said he favored requiring riders 16 to 21 years old to wear helmets because he believed this age group was more prone to accidents than older riders. State law already requires motorcycle riders younger than 15 1/2 to wear helmets.

“Given the same bill and the same set of facts, the same result will ensue,” said Tom Beermann, a Deukmejian press aide, “but he (the governor) obviously will be willing to consider new evidence.”

On Thursday, Assembly opponents claimed the bill would restrict motorcyclists’ “freedom of choice.”

But Assemblywoman Doris Allen (R-Cypress), whose son was involved in a serious accident while riding a motorcycle, argued that “a helmet will save many lives.” Her son’s helmet was “scratched and gouged but his head is quite all right,” Allen said. “You are better off with a helmet than you are without it.”

An opponent, Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach), said the bill “sounds like a good solution” but “even if it (a helmet) works, we are going to be telling adult Americans what to do with their heads.”

Floyd noted that state law already requires motorists to wear automobile seat belts to help reduce injuries and deaths from traffic accidents.

Another pending bill by Assemblyman Bev Hansen (R-Santa Rosa) would require anyone under 21 years of age to enroll in a motorcycle safety class in order to obtain a license. Current law requires such classes for 16- to 18-year-olds.

Hansen said she expects her bill to be amended in the Senate to require helmets for motorcyclists aged 16 to 21.