Create a new account

It's simple, and free.

Mandatory Helmet Laws

In recent years, a controversy has arisen over the issue of whether or not motorcycle riders should be required by law to wear helmets. Those who favor such laws claim that helmets help to reduce the occurrence of head injuries in motorcycle accidents. As such, it is argued that the use of helmets helps in reducing the number of deaths and disabilities which are caused by such injuries. Those who are opposed to mandatory helmet laws claim that the motorcycle rider cannot see or hear properly while wearing a helmet. In addition, the opponents of laws mandating helmets argue that they have a right to freedom of choice in the matter. It is argued that the government has no right to legislate on this issue, and that any attempt to do so is an infringement of personal liberties (Sahagun, 1991, p. A19).

At this time, the controversy over motorcycle helmets is essentially a state issue. However, since the 1960s, the federal government has also been involved in one way or another in the debate. For example, the federal government has proposed various laws which would require a reduction in highway funding for those states which "fail to pass mandatory helmet laws for motorcycle riders of all ages" (Heard, 1989, p. 11). Currently, there are more than twenty states which have instituted laws similar to this federal proposal. Those states impose fines and other punishments on motorcyclists who are caught riding on the public streets without approved safety helmets on their heads (Sahagun, 1991, p. A19). In response to these laws,, various motorcycle groups have banded together in the formation of lobbies. The fight against mandatory helmet laws has been led by such biker organizations as the American Motorcycle Association and a group known as ABATE (standing either for A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactment, or the American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education).

The precedents for laws requiring helmet use can be traced to ...

Page 1 of 7 Next >

More on Mandatory Helmet Laws...

Loading...
APA     MLA     Chicago
Mandatory Helmet Laws. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 05:06, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1705247.html