Missouri Helmet Law Repeal?
I meant to write about this a few weeks ago when I first heard about it. Earlier this month, a Senate panel endorsed a bill to repeal Missouri’s mandatory helmet law.
This is one of those examples of a law designed to “protect Missourians from themselves.” Would I ride a motorcycle without a helmet? Absolutely not, are you crazy? But should I be allowed to? Yes.
Opponents argue that the law’s repeal will result in more highway deaths, possibly increasing taxpayer-funded health care costs and driving up insurance premiums.
I used to hold that insurance belief as well, until I looked into the evidence a little more. From what I’ve read, there is only weak evidence that seat belt and helmet laws decrease highway fatalities, and mixed evidence that safety device laws actually cause more erratic driving (potentially offsetting the decrease in premium costs).
The insurance argument is evoked a lot, and several state supreme courts have upheld the argument. To the best of my knowledge, however, there is no empirical connection between helmet laws and insurance premiums absent some circumstantial studies about long-term effects. I would also argue that the numbers most often cited are one-sided, focused on the cost of helmet repeal alone. They don’t address the cost borne by society for enforcement and installation of “mandated safety devices” — such as airbags, etc. — that taxpayers and individuals incur already (think of all those seatbelt law commercials and the amount of time police officers are forced to spend enforcing such laws rather than, say, preventing violent crimes).
So I could go either way on this. If the law does in fact lower taxpayer costs, then I might find it justified. I tend to believe, however, that the law’s primary intent is simply to “protect us from ourselves.”
I am looking for information on Missouri Mandatory Helmet Law. Was this law repealed in 2008? I heard a rumor that the repeal of this law took place on August 24, 2008. Can you confirm this?
Comment by Mike Talley — August 25, 2008 @ 12:48 p.m.
Mike,
I don’t believe the law was passed. Here is the bill tracking link: http://www.senate.mo.gov/08info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=68070
I don’t see the magic words, “Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed.”
Comment by David Stokes — August 26, 2008 @ 4:27 p.m.
The helmet law is still in effect. Several Democrat Senators wanting to add silly ammendments stopped it this year. Main Senator involved was Chuck Graham from Columbia, MO area. Remember him from the DUI he got after an accident he caused and refused any test. Cops got a warrant and proved he was over limit. His lawyer moved the case to Fulton and he paid a fine and is still driving. Isn’t it normally a suspension of driving?? And he’s still a Senator in Missouri up for re-election. Maybe informed people should vote him OUT.
How bout a bill that would require all DUI to wear helmets??
Comment by Tony ABATE for Missouri — September 6, 2008 @ 12:50 p.m.
The state of PA just published a study that the accident rate had actually gone DOWN since the repeal of the helmet law there. Maybe we should try that same thing in Missouri. Most of the fiction of mandatory helmets has been brought on by the Insurance Companies anyway. Let’s stop the fiction and bring on the facts. Instead of mandatory helmets, let’s get more rider education. And on top of that, put driver education back in the schools.
One last comment before getting off my soapbox. Seatbelts, airbags and helmets give the driver and rider a false sense of security. It takes more than that to keep us safe on the roads. Education is the key. As Justin pointed out, the laws are passed to “save us from ourselves”. Well I say they need to give it a rest.
Comment by Peachy — September 6, 2008 @ 1:12 p.m.
I agree that all those charged with DUI should wear helmets. But addition, I think everyone should wear their helmets. It’s mandatory in California and it has saved lives. It doesn’t make the guys in leather jackets look less cool, IMHO.
Comment by dui — September 23, 2008 @ 12:00 p.m.