Panel OKs Ending U.S. Speed Limit, Helmet Requirements

A highway bill that would drop federal motorcycle helmet and speed limit requirements won approval of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Friday.

Killing the safety provisions was approved despite a letter of opposition from Transportation Secretary Federico Pena and personal visits by Dr. Ricardo Martinez, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Federal Highway Administrator Rodney E. Slater.

The measure designating the 160,000-mile National Highway System now heads for the House floor, where action is expected within two weeks. If work is not completed by Oct. 1, nearly $6 billion in road money could be held up.

The committee voted, 38 to 17, to eliminate the federal mandate that states require motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) pressed for the move, contending that helmets can interfere with hearing and vision of riders, potentially endangering them.

On the other hand, Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.) said studies have shown that helmets save lives and do not interfere with driving.

But the committee accepted the argument that the matter should be left up to the states.

The Senate version of the highway bill eliminates the helmet rule. It also eliminates the federal speed limit for cars, but retains it for trucks.

An attempt by California Rep. Norman Y. Mineta (D-San Jose) to reverse Thursday’s subcommittee action eliminating the national speed limit failed, 37 to 19.

An amendment by Rep. Nick J. Rahall II (D-W.Va.) to set a national speed limit at 65 m.p.h. was turned back, 29 to 22.