As summer gets into full swing, motorcyclists from across Michigan once again have encouraged lawmakers to support legislation that would let them choose whether to wear helmets or not. While the state House and Senate recently passed bills that would allow changes to the law, on Friday Gov. Jennifer Granholm used her veto power and said no.
The legislation would have allowed motorcyclists to ride helmet-free if they purchase special permits. A permit would cost $100 per year or $200 for three years. The proposal was supposed to generate more than $25 million for road patrols, safety programs and other programs.
In the beginning of June, hundreds of motorcycle riders went the Capitol to lobby lawmakers for the right to not wear helmets. Some said they didn’t want government telling them what to do while others claimed that the law requiring the head gear is hurting Michigan’s economy because surrounding states do not require helmets and riders skip Michigan when out on the highways.
Granholm vetoed similar legislation in 2006, and did the same again late Friday (June 13), citing safety concerns. Repealing the state’s mandatory helmet requirement would cause an increase in severe head injuries and deaths, according to AAA Michigan, and in her veto letter to both the House and Senate, Granholm agreed. She said she believes helmets reduce serious injury. In a letter to the Senate explaining her veto, Granholm said: “I do not believe that the legal requirement to wear a helmet while operating or riding on a motorcycle in Michigan should be eliminated.”