PLATFORM : No Helmet Law
Those of us who do not choose to wear helmets at all times or in all situations have many good reasons, such as restricted vision and hearing, a false sense of security and, most of all, our freedom of choice.
Proponents of helmet laws claim lower rates of fatalities and serious injuries. We have compared the experience of free-choice states with no helmet laws, states requiring helmet use and California for 1987-89. Each year, states with no helmet laws had the lowest fatality rates. California--which has a helmet law for those under 15 1/2 years old--had a lower rate of fatalities than states with full mandatory helmet laws.
Instead of this bill, I urge the extension and expansion of our very successful California motorcycle safety program. Since it started in 1986, injuries have been reduced 34% and fatalities have declined 28% while the number of riders has reached an all-time high.
Helmet laws don’t work. Education and training do.
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