Coalition Forged to Save Michigan's Life-Saving Mandatory Helmet Law

LANSING, Mich., March 24 -- Emergency physicians, brain injury experts, law enforcement officials, insurance and health care providers, and motorcycle enthusiasts joined forces today to fight legislation that could mean certain death for hundreds of motorcyclists -- a proposed repeal of Michigan's life-saving mandatory helmet law.

"Our first order of business is to preserve and protect Michigan's life- saving mandatory helmet law," said Michael Dabbs, president of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and chairperson of the Heads First Coalition. "The death of this long-standing law could put thousands of people in this state in harm's way."

House Bill 4325 and Senate Bill 321, both introduced earlier this month, would allow those 21 years old and older to operate a motorcycle without a helmet if they have had licenses for two years and completed a motorcycle safety course. Michigan's mandatory helmet law, created in 1969, requires operators and riders to wear helmets at all times. The law has saved hundreds of lives for more than 33 years.

"This law is there to protect motorcyclists' lives," said Linda Green of Grand Rapids. Green's son Brian was not wearing a helmet in his 1992 motorcycle accident and now must speak using the aid of an electronic device. "Elected officials ought to know better. This is a lesson learned most often when it's too late."

Linda and Brian (who was 26 years old at the time of his accident) advocate for helmet awareness at schools and churches in the Grand Rapids area.

Organizations and advocates -- including the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Michigan Sheriffs' Association and AAA Michigan -- have moved swiftly to join the Heads First Coalition. To them, the issue is a matter of life and death.

"As an avid rider, I do not support repeal of the helmet law. Riding naked is exhilarating too, but makes no sense," said Jim Epolito, president of the Accident Fund Company in Lansing. "Most riders know you're just between crashes. Head injured riders cannot be present to oppose repeal."

"We strongly support motorcycle helmet use to protect those we protect," said Bill Cilluffo, vice president of government relations at AAA Michigan.

  Head First's founding coalition members include:
  AAA Michigan
  Allstate Insurance Company
  Michigan Academy of Family Physicians
  Michigan College of Emergency Physicians
  American Coalition for Traffic Safety, Inc.
  Brain Injury Association of Michigan
  Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan
  Insurance Institute of Michigan
  Michigan Association of Insurance Agents
  Michigan Brain Injury Providers' Council
  Michigan Driver & Traffic Safety Education Association
  Michigan Health & Hospital Association
  Michigan Nurses Association
  Michigan Sheriffs' Association
  Michigan State Medical Society
  Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning
  Michigan Orthopedic Society
  Michigan Osteopathic Association
  Michigan Rehabilitation Association
  State Farm Insurance

"Heads First will remind legislators of the inherent and unfortunate dangers that are part of motorcycle riding, and the lives and opportunities lost when heads are not put first," said Dabbs. "The helmet law has been saving lives for years. It's time to return the favor."