In Michigan, the Senate and the House have passed a law that would allow motorcycle riders to ride without helmets. At the time of this post all motorcycle riders in Michigan are required to wear helmets. The new law would allow riders to ride without helmets but require citizen riders of Michigan to pay $100 per year ($200 for three years), have passed a motorcycle safety riding course and have been riding for at least 2 years. The money collected for the plan would go to motorcycle education and training.  The governor is expected to veto the plan for a second time in as many years.

This is the first time that I have seen some compromise by both the government and riders on helmet law. It is an innovative idea that seems to strike a balance between the desire on the part of the government to protect and riders to be free to determine their own destiny. My only caveat to this plan is insurance coverage. One of the greatest concerns and arguments in favor of helmets is the burden that helmetless riders place on society in having to pay for oftentimes lifelong injuries as a result of a motorcycle accident. Perhaps a better compromise might be to ensure that all motorcycle riders that want to ride without a helmet purchase $1,000,000 in personal injury, underinsured and uninsured motorcycle insurance coverage to help pay for their anticipated injuries.

Such a plan would yield profit to the insurance companies who might be required to pay some percentage of generated profits to statewide motorcycle rider education. The rights of motorcycle riders would be respected and even enhanced in the sense that riders generally advocate for minimal governmental interference and this would accomplish that. By having helmetless motorcycle riders pay for their own anticipated injuries they are in fact more independent. The genuine concern of society in having to pay for anticipated injuries is minimized if not totally paid for.

I welcome your comments... 

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