Nebraska lawmakers advance proposal to repeal motorcycle helmet mandate

[RandySF]

LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers are one step away from repealing mandated motorcycle helmets in the state, advancing a long-sought proposal Wednesday.

State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, offered an amendment to do so during debate on a bill related to the Department of Motor Vehicles. His proposal, originally Legislative Bill 91, would allow motorcycle riders to ride without a helmet if they are older than 21, have completed a safety course and wear eye protection.

Lawmakers voted 30-5 to amend the provisions of LB 91 into LB 138, a bill by Lincoln State Sen. Carolyn Bosn related to DMV.

Hansen said numerous senators — Republican and Democrat — have tried for at least a couple of decades to change the law.

“There’s actually a coveted helmet that gets passed around to each senator who introduces it,” Hansen told the Examiner after the vote. “So now, I’m stuck with it, I guess.”

Hansen’s proposal differs from laws in other states that have allowed a blanket repeal of helmet requirements for adults. The advanced measure stipulates the completion of a DMV-approved basic motorcycle safety course. The DMV would update past driver records to show completion.

Training would include defensive driving, Hansen said, which can make the difference in avoiding some accidents.




https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-lawmakers-advance-proposal-to-repeal-motorcycle-helmet-mandate/

[tanyev]

1. I often wonder how humanity has managed to survive as long as we have.

I guess so far our rate of reproduction has stayed well ahead of our rate of death by stupidity.

[70sEraVet]

2. Why are Nebraska's politicians more worried about motorcyclists' freedoms than their safety?

Do they also pass around a 'coveted' seatbelt, until they repeal the seatbelt law?

[RainCaster]

3. Obviously, no chance of brain damage

You can't damage what you haven't got.

[marble falls]

4. Will the brain injured be covered by socialistic medical care schemes, like Medicade, SSI and such?

[Hotler]

5. It shouldn't take a law to get you to wear a helmet. The beauty of the Constitution is that

it gives people the right to be a dumb shit.

[roamer65]

6. I saw a guy on a freeway in MI without one the other day.

As a former motorcycle rider, it made me cringe.