MICHIGAN - Letter: Legislators should vote down proposals to lift state helmet law

OFF THE WIRE
Voice: Bruce M. LaBrecque, Frankenmuth

I want to implore legislators to vote no on HB 4008, HB 4608 and SB 0291, which would repeal Michigan’s over 35-year-old motorcycle helmet law. Not only am I opposed, but over 80 percent of Michigan voters are opposed. 
While some states did repeal motorcycle helmet laws, two states quickly reinstated theirs when they witnessed the significant increase in deaths and hospitalizations. In every case, the increased hospitalizations led to a significant increase in Medicaid costs. 
As recently as 2008, Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, stated that a repeal of Michigan’s helmet law would likely cause 30 more fatalities and over $129 million in economic costs per year.
Do you really believe the exaggerated claims of a single-issue advocacy group over the research done by numerous key national and state governmental and private agencies who are experts in such matters? 
As a medical professional (registered nurse and physical therapist), I have treated numerous motorcycle injuries; those patients had some of the worst neurological and musculoskeletal injuries I have seen in my 30-plus years in direct patient care. I feel confident that most of them would have been DOA had they not had a helmet on. 
I’ve often heard the lament, “Let those who ride decide.” I reply: “No! Let those who sweat blood and tears trying to save the lives and rehabilitate the injured motorcycle riders decide!” 
Your initial impression may be to believe this is a “freedom of choice” issue; however, you must also look at the consequences that result — namely, you are taxing all Michigan taxpayers. The hospitalization and long-term care of an injured motorcyclist will be paid by the taxpayer with increased Medicaid costs. 
Finally, one of the governor’s dashboard measures being touted as showing the effectiveness of government will measure highway traffic deaths. It is beyond me to believe that legislators would purposefully cause this number to increase with a vote to repeal the motorcycle helmet law.