Pete Rahn leads effort asking Gov. Jay Nixon to veto helmet repeal
Bikers are currently required to wear helmets
JEFFERSON CITY — The director of Missouri’s Department of Transportation says repealing the state’s helmet law “doesn’t make sense” and will cost lives.
MoDOT director Pete Rahn appeared at a capital city hospital with ER doctors today to urge Gov. Jay Nixon to veto a law passed by lawmakers earlier this month. The law would repeal Missouri’s 40-year-old requirement that motorcyclists where helmets on the state’s roads.
If the repeal is enacted, motorcyclists in the state would have the choice to where helmets anywhere in the state except for on the Interstate.
Rahn, who has also been pushing unsuccessfully for a primary seat belt law in the state, says he doesn’t understand why the Legislature would make a decision that he says will cost people their lives because of head injuries.
“I am extremely disappointed that the Legislature would … say we are willing to pay the price of 42 lives per year,” Rahn said.
At the news conference, Rahn produced a survey paid for by MoDOT with federal safety funds that shows 84 percent of Missourians are against repealing the state’s motorcycle helmet law.
Greg Folkert, an emergency room doctor from St. Louis, also appealed to Nixon to veto the new law. Folkert gave an emotional appeal, talking about losing his own father to a motorcycle accident when Folkert was 10 years old.
“I was a boy who becam a man dogged by never knowing who my father was,” said Folkert, a Washington University med student who finishes his residency in a couple of months. “Please Gov. Nixon, don’t repeal this law.”
Other than budget bills, the motorcycle helmet bill was one of the first pieces of legislation given final approval by the General Assembly. Nixon has not said what his opinion on the helmet repeal is.
Rahn said his staff has talked to Nixon about the survey, and he hopes to speak to the governor personally about the issue.
Just another example of how pathetic the MO legislature was this year. What an extremely ridiculous waste of taxpayer dollars/legislators’ time. The governor should most definitely veto this stupid, stupid bill.
No one should ever die outside of a nursing home. The following laws MUST be implemented NOW!:
NO Running - especially with scissors!
NO cooking (might get burned!) - cold pop-tarts and salad only
NO travel in below freezing weather - might fall down!
…In fact, ANY travel. Ever.
NO Bathing without floatation device
NO brisk walking with fewer than 4 DOT approved pillows secured to person.
NO use of any pencils longer than 2 inches. Golf pencils only.
NO smoking (oh wait, sorry, already have that)
NO talk of personal freedom - we wouldn’t want you getting any ideas…
Studies have shown that being born is now the leading cause of death in Missouri, and further studies are desperately needed on this matter. Contact your State Rep. today, and be sure to address them beginning with, “Mother-may-I”.
How about this for a compromise….the helmet law will be repealed but if you’re stupid enough to ride a motorcycle without a helmet and you are involved in an accident, you will not be allowed to use any taxpayer dollars for any part of your treatment, recovery, constant care, or to bury you.
I wonder if these lawmaking dummies would have passed this is required before the vote to take a test by being dropped on their helmetless heads from a distance of 20 feet in the air? IDIOTS!
Why would someone want to take such a risk (to ride without a helmet)?
Price them (motorcycle riders sans helmets) out of the market? Charge so much they can’t afford insurance w/o riding with a helmet.
How about this for a compromise….the helmet law will be repealed but if you’re stupid enough to ride a motorcycle without a helmet and you are involved in an accident, you will not be allowed to use any taxpayer dollars for any part of your treatment, recovery, constant care, or to bury you.
— AmericanGirl
3:51 pm May 20th, 2009
I’m with you on this one but I’d like to add a few people to the list of not supporting with taxpayer money. How about everyone that chooses to buy their Marlboros with cash while buying their grocieries with WIC and Food Stamps? How about super fat people that can’t put down their forks? How about people that have litters of children that they can’t possibly support financially?
I’m game. Let’s start withdrawing taxpayer support for people that make poor decisions.
Great Idea. We will still require all drivers and passengers of cars and light trucks to wear seat belt for safety, but, no need to wear a helmet on a motorcycle. Brilliant. Simply Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would like to know who got polled by MoDot? I never received a call. I have asked random people yesterday and this morning between Jefferson City, Lake ozarks, Springfield and Branson. No one Was polled. I asked some who ride and some who don’t. And out of those I polled only one said riders should be made to wear them. According to my poll 100% was for the law. Pete, lets see the poll of yours.
If anyone is going to post comments, against or for this bill, I would like to know if they ride a motorcycle and where they live. (Urban or rural) Ii helped lobby for this bill in Jefferson City and talked to several lobbyists and Insurance agents. (By the way, None of the insurance lobbyists or companies testified AGAINST the bill when in Senate Committee hearings OR House hearings. They all told me the same thing, It is cheaper on insurance companies if a person gets killed rather than crippled the rest of their life from wearing a helmet. Insurance companies pay once if you die, pay forever if you are crippled or injured. Thats when Insurance rates go up. So for those of you who Dont ride, examine your self and your habits and think.. Do I put myself in any compromising positions that could take my life? If you live in St Louis everyday you wake up and drive through St Louis traffic you are endangering your life. I do have to give Joan Bray a thumbs up on her bill to stop using electronic devices while driving!! Shame it got killed. I hope that one goes through next year and I will help her get it if I can. I have been close to having an accident on my motorcycle and in my truck because of people (Mainly younger women) texting and talking on phone while they are driving. Next time you are around a mall parking lot or grocery store, watch the women who are driving out of it. You will see 9 out of 10 women on the phone or texting (most have a cigarette in one hand and cell phone in the other) before they even get out of the parking lot. If you think I am making this up. Start paying attention.
My husband has been riding motorcycles forever! We are in our 60’s and I still go with him on the bike. We do believe it is safer to ride with a helmet, but on the interstate it is most likely not going to matter if your bike goes down. Actually it seems that the law should be to wear helmets in off interstate driving, where you could be going slow enough to make a difference!! And,the helmets get very hot in the summertime. If we could just remove the helmet for a few minutes, the rider that is, just to cool down , without it being illegal. Then put it back on to continue to ride. Mitchell 06/17/09