[rainman123]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Legislation that would let some motorcycle operators ride without a helmet is facing opposition from a AAA club.

The bill would create a four-year pilot program that would make helmet-wearing voluntary between September and May for riders of motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and motor-driven cycles who are 21 years or older. An operator or passenger who is on TennCare, the state’s Medicaid program, would still have to wear a helmet.

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The Auto Club Group, the second-largest AAA club in North America which covers Tennessee and several other states, opposes the bill and is urging its members to contact lawmakers and ask them to oppose it.

The group says the legislation would increase the number of deaths and injuries on Tennessee roads.

“According to a 2021 survey conducted by AAA, 92 percent of Tennesseans support maintaining an all-rider helmet law,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman the Auto Club Group. “The current law has worked well in keeping motorcyclists safe on our roadways and we cannot afford to weaken it.”



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The legislation is co-sponsored by Rep. Jay Reedy (R-Erin) and Sen. Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield).

The House version of the bill has been placed on the House Transportation Subcommittee calendar for Wednesday. Its companion in the Senate has been referred to the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee.

 

[Vinish]

As a Libertarian (who votes Republican), I am against most forms of government control over private decisions and this is no exception. Even though I ALWAYS wear a helmet (and seatbelts when in a car), I am against helmet laws (and seatbelt laws) as these should be decisions left to each individual to make. Let those who so desire Darwin award themselves out of the gene pool.

 

[djh3]

"An operator or passenger who is on TennCare, the state’s Medicaid program, would still have to wear a helmet. " So what, Cops are going to stop people and check your medical insurance cards? I wear a helmet and always have. It was just the way I learned to ride. I started on the road here in Fla and helmets were mandintory. Somewhere between the 70's and the 90's they decided to thin the heard and repeled it. I rode for years when I was stationed in Oklahoma and they were an optional state, with an exception. They USAF (and armed forces period) said you ride without a helmet and get hurt we will not pay for your medical needs. I laugh when riding from our trip to NC in the fall. We will be coming back on I95 and some riders as soon as they hit the Ga/Fla line stop to take helmets off. LOL really it bugs you that bad you cant make it the 2 or 3 miles to the welcome center/rest area? You want to ride without a helmet fine, but dont make the rest of use pay for unnecessary medical cost thru our insurance.

 

[TNXR]

TN has been kicking this idea around for years now. Unless your just out raising hell most cops around here are not going to pull you over and if they pass the no helmet law then the same goes, they won't pull you over to check your creds. I am on the fence on helmet laws. I don't believe the government should be telling me if I should wear one or not but I do believe that you should have adequate health insurance because if one doesn't then the rest of us pay for the busted skull through higher insurance rates. I've also witnessed a motorcycle accident when I was 18 in Myrtle Beach where a guy on a sport bike t-boned a car and went head first through the drivers side windshield. I'll never forget what was left of the dudes head and what it looked like. Full face helmet for me or I don't ride.

 

[IndyVictory]

TN has been kicking this idea around for years now. Unless your just out raising hell most cops around here are not going to pull you over and if they pass the no helmet law then the same goes, they won't pull you over to check your creds. I am on the fence on helmet laws. I don't believe the government should be telling me if I should wear one or not but I do believe that you should have adequate health insurance because if one doesn't then the rest of us pay for the busted skull through higher insurance rates. I've also witnessed a motorcycle accident when I was 18 in Myrtle Beach where a guy on a sport bike t-boned a car and went head first through the drivers side windshield. I'll never forget what was left of the dudes head and what it looked like. Full face helmet for me or I don't ride.

I think it's MI that requires a certain level of insurance to go helmet free and maybe some other states.

 

[theja1]

I’m against helmet laws but also agree you should have a certain level of insurance to do so. They could add a star or something to signify this on your tag.

I wait till the first rest stop

 

[IndyVictory]

Star is for getting on airplanes.
Heart for organ donation, at least in this state.

I'm still confused why after years and years of motorcycle endorsement being an M in this state they changed it to L.

I do wonder how it is enforced. Surely they can't stop random people and check their insurance coverage levels.

I'm all for the freedom of choice in all things.
Helmet likely saved my melon once already.
I am usually in a 3/4 configuration.
Previously used the Shark Evoline and moved to the LS2 Valiant. Chin bar flips back over head on both.

 

[TNXR]

I wore a 3/4 half of the time years ago with my other bikes but not when I got my XR. I wear glasses and they don't like the buffeting coming from underneath the tank. I've tried different types of wind deflectors with no luck. Full face helmet is the only solution.

 

[Ratfink]

As a Libertarian (who votes Republican), I am against most forms of government control over private decisions and this is no exception. Even though I ALWAYS wear a helmet (and seatbelts when in a car), I am against helmet laws (and seatbelt laws) as these should be decisions left to each individual to make. Let those who so desire Darwin award themselves out of the gene pool.

If everyone was allowed to choose what was best for them safety wise, we would have a lot more “DEATHS” but a way to control the over population.🫣 It’s like the old saying….ignore your teeth and they will go away.🙀

 

[theja1]

If everyone was allowed to choose what was best for them safety wise, we would have a lot more “DEATHS” but a way to control the over population.🫣 It’s like the old saying….ignore your teeth and they will go away.

Interesting that the stats from free states vs helmet law states don’t back up the “more deaths” thing. Percentages are nearly identical.

 

[53canuck]

As with most laws we're encumbered with it's usually the result of someone doing something stupid. Some, like cell phone laws need to be enforced more than they are.

There'll be no cops checking for your medical coverage just because they've got nothing better to do. I have to imagine the helmet laws won't be even looked at on riders until after an insurance claim is attempted. After a crash while your lying on the road.

Where medical insurance is discretionary, so should be the helmet laws. If you're going to pay for treatment you should be able to do whatever you want. Jump off a five story building into fire if you wish. Nobody gives a ****.

Here, in Canada, where the medical treatment is publicly funded (30% if our taxes) then you'd better be doing everything you can to prevent the damage whatever you're doing or you can go to hell along with your beliefs. No helmet, skydiving, driving your car at 200kph, skiing in restricted avalanche areas, Russian roulette, etc = the entire financial responsibility is on you and your family. Lose your savings and your house? Tough. No whining after the fact.

True thing. Wife says because I've got life insurance helmets are over-rated anyway. Go for it.

Wear it - your balls will never be as big as a helmet. Do as you wish but think of those you leave behind.

 

[TNXR]

Don't look like it going to matter, the bill didn't make it through like usual. The no helmet thing has been proposed numerous times the last 25 years in TN with no luck.

 

[theja1]

Don't look like it going to matter, the bill didn't make it through like usual. The no helmet thing has been proposed numerous times the last 25 years in TN with no luck.

Same here in Alabama. They have tried to pass it, but it never does. I have no issues wearing a helmet….hell, saved me probably back in the summer when my Vic decided to throw me. But I’d like it to be my decision.

 

[IndyVictory]

Same here in Alabama. They have tried to pass it, but it never does. I have no issues wearing a helmet….hell, saved me probably back in the summer when my Vic decided to throw me. But I’d like it to be my decision. View attachment 259771

Ouch