Allstate's Response to Veto of Michigan Senate Bill 297; Spokespersons Available to Comment on Motorcycle Helmet Mandate

--On June 9, Allstate Insurance Company issued a letter to Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm urging her to veto Senate Bill 297, which would repeal the state's motorcycle helmet mandate.

With 538 employees, 857 agency personnel and 597,660 policyholders in Michigan, as well as having its regional offices headquartered in Michigan, Allstate and its stakeholders have had a significant interest in Senate Bill 297.

The following quote may be attributed to Thomas F. Clarkson, field vice president, Allstate Insurance Company, in response to the governor's veto of Senate Bill 297:

    "We applaud Gov. Granholm's decision to veto Senate Bill 297.
    While we understand the position of motorcyclists who want to ride
    helmetless, the decision to ride a motorcycle without a helmet is 
    not entirely a personal one - it impacts every taxpayer. Accidents
    will happen - to drivers of all types of vehicles - and many of 
    these accidents are beyond our control. But when we CAN attempt to
    control the severity of an injury and therefore the cost to 
    society, we SHOULD do so whenever possible. Allstate is committed 
    to the safety of all drivers and we support Gov. Granholm's 
    decision to keep Michigan's motorcycle helmet mandate in place."

Allstate spokespersons based in Michigan are available for comment on the issue of motorcycle safety and its impact on society, taxpayers and insurance rates. If you are interested in interviewing an Allstate executive, contact Karen Spica of Allstate Corporate Relations at 248-302-6694.