Michigan's motorcycle helmet law repealed

A motorcyclist in Traverse City legally rides without a helmet after Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed the repeal of mandatory helmets into law. (TRAVERSE CITY) RECORD-EAGLE Enlarge

LANSING -- A decades-long fight to eliminate Michigan's helmet law roared into the victory lane Friday when Gov. Rick Snyder announced he signed the repeal into law.

The repeal took effect immediately, making Michigan the 31st state to give adult riders a choice over whether they want to wear protective headgear. Supporters say the change was long overdue after 46 years. They say the change will draw more motorcycle riders to Michigan and increase tourism revenue.

But insurance companies and safety advocates warned it will raise other motorists' insurance premiums and lead to more motorcycle fatalities and injuries. A Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning analysis estimated that the law's repeal will result in 30 additional fatalities, 127 more incapacitating injuries and $129 million in additional economic costs.

Vince Consiglio, president of American Bikers Aiming Toward Education of Michigan, called the law a useless holdover from bygone days.

"Helmet laws have done nothing to improve safety or reduce fatalities or the cost of insurance," Mr. Consiglio said. "I want to extend our gratitude to all the legislative officials and Governor Rick Snyder, who courageously supported freedom in the face of an onslaught of baseless and emotional arguments perpetuated by our opponents."

The law allows people age 21 and older to ride without helmets if they have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two years or have passed a safety course. Motorcyclists would be required to buy additional insurance -- at least $20,000 of first-party medical benefits coverage -- in case they are involved in an accident.

Insurer AAA Michigan said the extra insurance won't be enough to cover motorcycle accident victims' medical costs if they're severely injured. It noted that motorcyclists represent less than 2 percent of the insurance premiums paid into the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, which covers vehicle insurance claims over $250,000, but account for 5 percent of the money paid out and 7 percent of the claims reported.

All motorists pay into the MCCA fund, so if claims increase because of a larger number of seriously injured motorcyclists, all annual assessments could rise.