A Survey On Motorbike Headgears Laws
Since July 2000, motorcycle riders have not needed to adhere to a universal helmet law, wanting all riders, irrespective of age, to put on a helmet when riding their motorbikes. Today, Florida helmet regulations stipulate that riders over the age of 21 who have a minimum of $10,000 in medical care coverage can legally ride their bikes without wearing a helmet, a move that was regarded as a victory by many bikers unhappy with universal helmet laws which were in effect until that period.
Regardless of whether the move implies a clear victory or not is a matter of interpretation. While riders can enjoy the road unencumbered by motorcycle helmets which are usually heavy and hot, a report by the Florida Department of Transportation indicates that motorcycle injuries and even fatalities have gone up following repeal of the universal laws, forcing certain state authorities to revisit the law.
The discussion over universal helmet laws is not confined to Florida. Throughout the nation, universal helmet conditions have met with active opposition, and lately, many state governments have eradicated universal helmet regulations completely, while other enforce certain age or insurance guidelines which govern who must put on a helmet, and who can choose to not wear a helmet.
Before 1966, there were no motorcycle helmet laws in any country. However the Highway Safety Act of that same year put an end to that, requiring the establishment of uniform safety programs for bikers across the country. Under this act, all nations were instructed to formulate and implement laws that mandated the use of helmets by all bike riders. Nations which turned down to enact such legislation faced losing s portion of federal highway construction funds.
In 1975, with fees and penalties impending against three states, Congress revisited the Highway Safety Act, and eradicated the helmet law mandate, as well as disallowing a suspension of federal funds from nations without universal helmet laws. The result: by 1978, 25 nations had repealed their laws, or amended them to include only specific groups, mostly people under the age of 18.
The 1980s was, overall, a period of stasis for helmet regulations. But in the late 1980s and 1990s, many state governments began reenacting helmet laws in an effort to reduce injuries and fatalities, and reduce insurance and medical costs. In 1989, Oregon and Texas once again enforced universal helmet laws, and Washington and Maryland followed suit in 1990 and 1992. Even California, which had never before enforced a helmet law, enacted a universal helmet law in 1992 after much hype. Florida also passed a helmet regulation, however in 1996 as mentioned, the law was amended to include only bikers under 21 and those without adequate insurance coverage.
The repeal immediately saw a marked change in helmet use in the country. As observational helmet use studies conducted by the state DOT in 1998 discovered 99.5 percent of motorcycle bikers wore helmets. A similar survey conducted in 2002, two years after the repeal of the universal helmet law, pointed out that rate had dropped to 52.7 percent.
Another study conducted by the Florida DOT also revealed that though the overall number of crashes lowered during the 18-month period after the law was repealed as compared to the 19-month period prior to repeal, fatal crashes among the state’s motorcycle riders elevated by approximately 43 percent after Florida helmet laws were revised, from 284 deaths in the 18-month period prior to repeal, to 404 fatalities in the 18-month period after repeal. Non-fatal accidental injuries increased by about 16 percent in the same period. Even the numbers of under-age bikers elevated after repeal of the law, from 7 percent to 11 percent.
Looking to find the best deal on car rental, then visit www.enterprize-car-rental-s.com to find the best advice on car loan estimator for you.
categories: helmet law, helmet, motorcycle, injuries, regulation
Aug202010
Tags
Attorney attorneys auto automotive autos auto_and_trucks Bicycles Bicycles Accessories bike helmets bikes business cars clothing cycling finance fitness Fitness Equipment Accessories Fitness Weight Training Machines hobbies insurance Law Lawyer lawyers Legal leisure moto motorbikes motorcycle Motorcycle Apparel motorcycle covers Motorcycle Helmets Motorcycle Jackets Motorcycles Motorcycle Saddlebags Motor vehicles outdoors recreation shopping sporting goods sports Sports Fitness Stationary Bikes travel trucks vehicles