AAA Michigan Thanks Michigan Governor For Her Veto of Helmet Repeal

DEARBORN, Mich., June 23 -- AAA Michigan today thanked Governor Jennifer Granholm for her veto of legislation that would repeal Michigan's 37-year-old mandatory motorcycle helmet law.

Without her veto, the new law would have recklessly endangered Michigan citizens. Studies have shown that at least 22 additional fatalities and 742 additional injuries would result annually if Michigan repealed its mandatory motorcycle helmet law.

Sponsored by Sen. Alan L. Cropsey (R-DeWitt), SB 297 would remove the mandatory helmet requirement for all riders and passengers 21 years of age or older. In 2005, there were 3,605 motorcycle-involved crashes in Michigan in which 122 riders were killed and 2,721 injured.

AAA will continue to oppose legislation that leads to unnecessary deaths and injuries on our highways at a cost that would be mostly borne by the citizens of Michigan.