HB 994 -- MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

SPONSOR:  Dusenberg

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Transportation by a vote of 10 to 6.

This bill requires only persons younger than 21 years of age to
wear protective headgear when operating or riding as a passenger
on any motorcycle or motortricycle.  Currently, all motorcyclists
are required to wear protective headgear.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say the bill is an issue of freedom and
the right of adults to make their own choices.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Dusenberg; Freedom of
Road Riders; ABATE for Missouri; and Joseph T. Bryan.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that head injury is the
leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents.  While
appropriate protective headgear does not prevent every head
injury, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
reports that helmets are 67% effective in preventing brain
injuries and 34% effective in preventing fatalities in motorcycle
accidents.  It has been proven that helmet laws translate into
increased helmet usage which in turn saves lives and reduces head
trauma.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri State Medical
Association; Brain Injury Association of Missouri; Missouri
Safety Center; Nancy Koening; Department of Transportation;
Missouri College of Emergency Physicians; Missouri Hospital
Association; Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety; and Missouri
Safety Council.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:41 am