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                                                     District 8
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Nebraska Helmet Law

Posted 2/3/2010

World-Herald News Service

LINCOLN - State Sen. Ken Haar says wearing a motorcycle helmet saved his

Life 25 years ago.

But several other senators said the state could save something else -

Lost tax revenue - if it ended its mandatory helmet law.

The Nebraska Legislature opened debate Monday on a bill that would

Repeal the state's motorcycle helmet law.

State Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont introduced Legislative Bill 200

And an amendment that would still require helmets for riders younger

Than 21.

Janssen said adults who ride motorcycles should have the "personal

Freedom" to choose whether to wear a helmet, just as they do in 30 other

States.

Because of the helmet law, he said, many riders bypass the state,

Particularly to and from the massive summer motorcycle rally in Sturgis,

S.D. That means business and tax dollars go elsewhere, Janssen said.

"Tourists vote with their dollars, and they are saying no to Nebraska,"

He said.

Efforts to repeal the law have failed repeatedly since it was reinstated

In 1989.

Helmet law supporters said Monday the law saves not only lives but money

For the state.

When Florida repealed its helmet law in 2000, deaths from motorcycle

Crashes rose 24 percent, helmet use fell to 50 percent, and Medicaid

Costs to care for uninsured riders increased by $10 million, according

To a study done for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Omaha State Sen. Steve Lathrop said Nebraska would see an estimated 250

To 300 accidents a year involving helmetless motorcycle riders, who

Would be 40 percent more likely to die and three times as likely to have

A traumatic brain injury.

Lathop called a repeal "bad policy."

"We are inviting more deaths on the road and more brain injuries that as

A state, we'll be responsible for," he said.

Haar, of Malcolm, said a distracted driver pulled in front of him 25

Years ago as he rode his Honda motorcycle about 15 mph on a Lincoln street.

The cycle was totaled, but Haar is convinced his badly scratched helmet

Saved his life.

"It's not only responsible, but good public policy," he said.

Janssen said he was disappointed that senators brushed aside his

"freedom" arguments. He said he's open to amendments, including a

Suggestion by Bellevue Sen. Scott Price to repeal the law for only five

Years as a test, if it helps him gain the 25 votes needed to advance the

Bill.

Debate resumes today on Janssen's amendment to continue requiring riders

Under 21 to wear helmets. If that fails, he said, it will be a good

Indication the repeal bill lacks support.

World-Herald staff writer Martha Stoddard contributed to this report.