Cyclists without helmets should show proof of insurance

Editor,

The Standard recently reported that Senator Todd Weiler a Republican from Woods Cross, is going to introduce legislation making helmets mandatory for motorcycle riders (Dec. 5, "Davis Count lawmaker to propose motorcycle helmet law"). The driving factor behind this, cost to the public of people injured while riding without a helmet.

The state regulates everything we do; why not take away the choice of wearing a helmet? Their justification is that it protects the public from the costs of health care/rehab for those incapacitated when their brains are scrambled in a motorcycle crash.

As a person that has ridden motorcycles for over 30 years, I think this is an idea whose time has come in Utah!

It shouldn’t be just for motorcycles, but for bicycles, tricycles, mopeds/scooters, or any wheeled vehicle that can legally be ridden on the streets and highways of Utah

Senator Weiler should consider these inclusions: Helmets and eye wear must meet minimum standards. Helmets FMVSS 218 DOT standard, eye wear Z87 safety standards. Over-the-ankle boots, full-length pants, jacket/long sleeve shirt, and full-fingered gloves should be mandatory.

OR consider this option:

Let riders choose to wear or not to wear a helmet. If electing not to wear a helmet, they must, by law, carry an insurance policy of sufficient value to cover health care for life if incapacitated due to brain injury resulting from a motorcycle crash. This prevents them from becoming a burden on the taxpayers in the Utah.

Make this a primary enforcement law so the police would be able to stop anyone without a helmet to verify that they are carrying the proper insurance. Penalties for not having this insurance would be the same as those imposed on car drivers who Do not have insurance.

This law would only affect motorcycles registered in Utah, as those living elsewhere would not become a burden on Utah taxpayers.

Motorcyclists should have a choice, that choice should not impact anyone but himself or herself. If they choose to not wear a helmet, they need to make sure they do not become a burden on society because of brain damage caused in a wreck.