Mich. Helmet Repeal Is Vetoed

A measure to repeal Michigan's requirement that motorcyclists wear helmets has been vetoed by Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, winning applause from an insurers group.

The American Insurance Association in a statement called the helmet law that has been in effect for 37 years "life-saving."

SB 297, which Gov. Granholm vetoed on Friday, would have made wearing a motorcycle helmet optional for those 21 and over and mandatory for younger riders.

AIA said it "would have exacted a terrible toll on Michigan's citizens in lost lives, more severe traffic crash injuries and increased medical costs."

The group noted a 2004 study by the Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning that estimated that every year 22 more people would have died and more than 740 would have been injured if SB 297 were allowed to become law.

David Snyder, AIA vice president and general counsel, said AIA hopes Gov. Granholm's action will reverse a recent trend that has seen repeal of motorcycle helmet laws in Arkansas and Texas, which has resulted in a multiplication of "deaths, serious injuries and related economic losses."

He said a substantial percentage of motor vehicle injury medical costs are covered by government health insurance programs and increased rates mean taxpayers pay the bill for the increase in medical costs.

"Kudos to Gov. Granholm for recognizing that repealing Michigan's helmet law was bad public policy. Preserving this critical life-saving law is a victory for all of Michigan's citizens," Mr. Snyder concluded.

The governor's action did not win praise from opponents of the helmet law. American Bikers Aiming Toward Education reacted by announcing they would support Republican Dick DeVos, Ms. Granholm's opponent in the upcoming gubernatorial election.