Motorcyclists in Washington state may soon be able to ride without helmets again. The recent Senate Bill 5007 aims to repeal the current helmet law (covering all riders) and allow those over the age of 21 to ride without a helmet during a three-year pilot program, if not longer. Some motorcyclists passionately support this idea of what they’re calling “helmet choice”, but some believe repealing the helmet law would be a devastating mistake.
No matter which side of the debate you’re on, it’s important to be educated on Washington’s helmet law history so you can understand the significance of the future of these helmet safety laws.
A History of Washington’s Helmet Law
In June of 1967, the original universal helmet law took effect in the state of Washington and many other states, due to pressure from the federal government. The government made it mandatory for states to enact helmet use laws in order to qualify for certain federal safety programs and highway construction funds, and it worked. By the early 70s, almost all states had universal motorcycle helmet laws.
But in 1976, states successfully lobbied Congress to stop the Department of Transportation from assessing financial penalties on states without helmet laws, and Washington’s universal helmet law was repealed the next year. Ten years later, in 1987, Washington state reinstated motorcycle helmet laws for people 17 years old and younger, and in 1990, the universal helmet law was reinstated and has been in effect ever since.
The below figure shows the number of Washington motorcyclist fatalities in relation to the helmet law at that time.
Today, helmet laws vary widely around the United States. Currently, 19 states and the District of Columbia have laws that require all riders (operators and passengers) to wear a helmet, also known as universal helmet laws. In 28 states, there are laws that only require some motorcyclists to wear a helmet. There are no motorcycle helmet use laws in three states – Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire.
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Kinda funny how people are all over helmets for MC riders. How about horse riders, shouldn’t they wear a helmet too? Shouldn’t boaters be required to wear life jackets at all times? What about the expense of rescuing a boater in distress? I don’t hear any complaints about that. How about other rescues? Lost hikers-shouldn’t they be forced to post a bond to pay for their possible rescue? Most auto fatalities are head injuries, shouldn’t drivers wear helmets? Then there’s sky divers, hang gliders, base jumpers…I don’t think a helmet will help them much.
People do dangerous things, why pick on MC riders? I think the “too much fun factor” is at play here. People don’t like to see anyone having “too much fun”.
My mom used to say, “have fun, be safe”. To which I would reply, “pick one, can’t do both”.
P.S. I would still wear my helmet most of the time, but on a nice, sunny day, on a lonesome country road…
I think anyone over 21 years old should not be mandatory law to wear a helmet.
As a kid I rode a motorcycle with out a helmet for many years. With 7 yrs of riding with no issues the very first time I wore a helmet I Tboned a car that ran a stop sign . I came out of it with a broken thumb and a lot of road rash. That helmet save my life !At 61 I’m a firm believer in helmets. That’s your choice if you want to wear one or not. Mine is to wear one.
I’ve always said let those who ride decide
Been riding for over 40 years all over the world but mostly in this state and I’ve always said let those who ride decide my body my choice
I care when the severe trauma rate goes way up and they start calculating that into my insurance premiums.
And into our taxes as well. The cost of someone laying in a intensive care unit for the rest of their lives is an undue and mostly unnecessary burden on the taxpayers. As they say, “Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins!” As a motorcycle rider for a long time, regardless of what the law is, I’ve always worn a helmet. So should everyone else.
As a former EMT I witnessed (and treated) far more head traumas from car crashes than from motorcycles. I have ridden for 42 years and been through 2 motorcycle totaling crashes, both without head injury though other injuries were incurred. From my personal standpoint everyday autos are just as dangerous. It all boils down to driver/rider awareness, if you drop your guard it’s gonna hurt.
Let it be the riders choice.
Let It Be The Writer’s choice
I believe in the safety of helmets. Been riding since the late 60’s and never wore a helmet then, young and carefree. As I’ve aged I understand the importance of a helmet not only to one’s self but their family members who may be left with a vegatable or worse, death. Another issue is gigantic medical bills that result from a crash victim that they are unable to pay. Now, the financial burden falls on the public through higher insurance premiums. I realize it’s a matter of choice but the decision affects so much more than just the rider. I like my helmet and I feel so much safer.
So the claim is “Its my life if I choose to go without.” And if you do so and die, that was your choice. But what if you’re badly injured and left only partially functional because of your injury? Do you want to finish as Mr. Potato Head, on support or non-contributory? That messes up your family’s life… pretty much permanently. Some-one earlier posted about the offset of expense to society for your medical and support costs. What if your choice were to incorporate a clause in your insurance that minimized coverage to life support only, no rehab at all? Still your choice? Don’t make me pay for the crummy years at the end of your life because you “Won’t be told what to do!”
I’ve ridden for 35 years. I would still wear a brain bucket but still believe it should be by choice. Insurance should be aware of your stance on the choice and adjust the coverage accordingly.
Want to make motorcycle use safer. Let us ride on shoulder during traffic
I sold my bike back in 2013 after returning from a coast to coast. I was surprised at first to see riders in Montana without helmet, more so, I paid attention to a police car which a helmet-less rider passed; nothing happened… At my next stop, I asked a rider why nobody wears a helmet and he said, because it’s the law. He also told me at that time that there are only twelve out of fifty states which require a helmet… That was when I took it off and I continued my riding as I was use din my youth. 7000 miles later with no injury and no helmet, regardless if side-road or freeway and back home, I sold my bike out of frustration. A frustration of government overreach; a frustration of government telling me how to live my life, even if there is no crime involved. As a result I sold my bike and got a convertible cage. More freedom and no government interference. In any case, it hurts to stay away from riding and I got myself another bike this summer, after I heard of this bill; hopefully it will be in-acted soon. People need to understand that riding a bike is different than having a protective cage around you; as a biker you need to be pro-active in your defense. “more eyes open”, knowing what driver around you are doing and having the feeling for the road. These kind of things should be part of the endorsement process and all riders would be better off. My riding experience is the result of half a million miles all over Europe and the US, while also admitting to the crime of having driven cages for over two million miles. Oh; I’m not the youngest here… I’d say, let Washingtonians enjoy the freedom of choice as other millions of Americans do. Kudos to the sponsors!
Let those who ride Decide !!!!!
I would ride with a helmet but let those that ride decide
Let those who Ride , Decide.
I’ve been Riding for over 45 years and I wear as necessary.
Screw the Helmet Law.
I live in co now but did live in wa. For many years i have been riding most of my life never a problem. I think it should be mc riders choice. Like i said i live in CO. We dont have to wear one here . But i do if im out on the freeway.
The only place you really need a skid lid is where the stupid people live, ie in town. Rural and highway areas are free of people who cut you off, turn in front of you, etc. Oh I would be remiss if I failed to mention sport bike riders doing wheelies at 60 mph or going way to fast for their conditions or ability on a crooked road.