posted May 23, 2007
A bill that would allow motorcyclists to go helmetless has gotten a new lead sponsor.
Rep. Joey Hensley (R) Hohenwald, or “Dr. Joey” as he is called by his compatriots in the motorcycle community, said, “There has been far too much emphasis placed on helmet use regarding motorcycle safety. The common sense thing to do is to reduce motorcycle accidents altogether.”
To this end, he said he has turned over his lead of the Helmet Law debate to Rep. Curry Todd (R) – Collierville, and "will concentrate his efforts in encouraging all concerned individuals and associations, particularly those in the medical field, to actively promote programs directed at all motorists’ awareness of motorcycles on the highway, rider education courses, proper licensing of all on the highway, and impaired driving/riding campaigns."
Mike Hays, volunteer lobbyist for CMT/ABATE, said he agrees with Dr. Hensley that "the emphasis the medical community has placed on helmet laws distracts from the real issues that address the root causes of motorcycle crashes and joins Dr Joey in challenging the medical community to direct their massive resources into campaigns which will reduce the crashes. Motorcycle helmets do not reduce crashes yet motorist awareness campaigns to reduce distracted driving, sober riding campaigns and expanded availability of rider training programs, even in states that do not mandate helmets, result in lower fatality and accident rates.
"Tennessee’s fatality and injury rates are consistently higher than most of the 30 states that allow responsible adults the option of wearing a helmet."
Rep. Todd said, "I stand strong on the rights of adults to have freedom of choice. Helmets are sold in the apparel department of dealerships, not the safety department. There is ample evidence to show that as states have repealed helmet laws, injury and fatality rates have declined. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Tennessee Legislature and the freedom loving motorcyclists of Tennessee to allow responsible adults the right to choose their riding apparel.”
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