Helmets should not be required
In a democratic society, it is the burden of the state to govern my conduct in sharing the roads with other motorists such as obeying traffic lights, obeying the speed limit, using my turn signals, etc. This is to ensure the safety of all who share the roads. My having a helmet on my head has nothing to do with the safety of others while I share the roads with you.
What’s more, 14 percent of all automobile accidents in 2002 were claimed against TennCare, while less than 4 percent of motorcycle accidents were.
According to the real statistics, shouldn’t you be wearing a helmet when you drive your car? You could end up being a social burden to my tax dollars. Yet ironically, if you wear a helmet while operating a motor vehicle, you could be subject to a fine for obstructing your hearing and vision. It jeopardizes the safe operation of a vehicle on the roads you share with me.
Senate Bill 861 passed in the Senate with a majority of 24-8. Unfortunately those 24 senators who believed that they are promoting our safety by insisting we wear helmets did not listen to the facts presented to them. In Tennessee, two-thirds of all motorcyclist deaths resulting from a collision with a motor vehicle were caused by the motorist’s failure to yield the right of way.
Moving violations by motorists is the No. 1 killer of motorcyclists nationwide. Even National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that public awareness and education has the greatest impact on saving motorcyclists’ lives, not helmets.
This is nonsense, folks. This issue is about personal choice, not safety and certainly not a social burden to TennCare as some would have you believe. Should you be wearing a helmet when you drive your car? Statistics bear that you should. Think about it.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Williams
John Lawson Road
McMinnville