One state lawmaker has been trying to reintroduce a mandatory motorcycle helmet law every time he gets an opportunity in the Pennsylvania legislature. In 2003, Pennsylvania repealed its mandatory motorcycle helmet law. Prior to the repeal, the state had a mandatory helmet law for decades. The legislator believes it is time to return to a mandatory helmet law to prevent serious and fatal head injuries.

The state legislator wants to help protect fatal motorcycle accidents from occurring like the one that occurred last month. A 36-year-old motorcyclist was riding on Kelly Drive in Philadelphia with a 25-year-old passenger. The rider on his 2004 Suzuki motorcycle made a right turn on Breweryhill Road and hit an oncoming car. The motorcycle then struck a stone embankment. Neither rider was wearing a motorcycle helmet. The 36-year-old died instantly and the 25-year-old passenger was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

According to a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, motorcyclists who wear motorcycle helmets are 65 percent less likely to suffer traumatic brain injury and are 22 percent less likely to suffer cervical spine injury. Motorcycle riders who wear helmets are also nearly 40 percent less likely to die in an accident when compared to riders who do not wear helmets.

The lawmaker's push for the mandatory motorcycle helmet law, has met stiff resistance among some bikers who treasure the freedom of choice in wearing a helmet. One motorcycle group called A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education of Pennsylvania says the choice of wearing a motorcycle helmet is similar to the choices of eating fried food or smoking cigarettes. Despite the possible harmful or deadly effect, the group does not want the state government to interfere in their right to helmet choice.

Source: Philly.com, "Pennsylvania helmet bill reintroduced, and motorcyclists rally to fight it," Melissa Dribben, 6/9/11