Status of the Motorcycle Helmet Law
The new legislative year is almost upon us and one thing we can be sure of
is that there will be another attempt to repeal the requirement for motorcycle riders to
wear a safety helmet when riding on a motorcycle.
Protecting the brain from physical damage is the goal of the law. When a brain gets
severely damaged by physical impact, death often results. If not death, there usually is
lifelong mental impairment.
The current California mandate has been on the books since January 1, 1992, and it has
been very successful. During the first seven years under the law, there have been well
over 2,000 fewer motorcycle riders killed in this state, and well over 50,000 fewer
motorcycle riders injured than had occurred during the seven-year pre-law period.
These are very significant numbers, but well organized efforts continue to attempt to get
the law repealed.
Back to Issue - November/December 1999
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