Frankel wants new motorcycle helmet law
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HARRISBURG -- Rep. Dan Frankel of Allegheny County today introduced legislation that would again require motorcyclists to wear helmets.
Realizing that might not get approved, he also introduced a bill that would strengthen helmet requirements for new riders and one that would force helmetless riders to pay more for insurance.
"Our state has seen some grave and serious consequences since repealing its universal helmet laws in 2003, both in terms of loss of life and additional costs to taxpayers," Mr.Frankel said at a briefing on the legislation in the Capitol.
Currently, Pennsylvania residents only must wear a helmet if they are riding on a learner's permit, are under 21 or have less than two years of riding experience. One piece of Frankel's legislation would require all riders to wear a helmet, and another, pitched as a backup, would require special registration plates for riders under 21 years of age.
The legislation also includes a recession-minded provision that would require those who ride without a helmet to pay more to their insurance providers to cover potential debilitating injuries. Mr. Frankel and other speakers warned that riders who don't wear helmets put a significant burden on taxpayers in the form of uncovered medical costs and long-term, government subsidized health care -- a position challenged by a number of motorcycle enthusiasts who attended the public briefing.
"The U.S. saved $2.9 billion in 2008 as a result of some states requiring all riders to wear helmets," Mr. Frankel said, citing statistics released by the National Conference of State Legislatures. "We could save another $1.3 billion if all states, including our own, enacted universal helmet laws. It's a common sense measure."
Dave Enrico, a Camp Hill resident and rider who attended the briefing, agreed with Mr. Frankel's argument that riders need quality health insurance, but he also stressed that helmet laws are only one piece of the highway safety equation.
"I see distracted drivers on the highways, eating or texting or doing any number of more risky behaviors. Shouldn't we start charging them higher rates too?" Mr. Enrico asked. "The riders are being singled out here when they are not the only problem."
First Published May 23, 2011 4:26 pm
