Va. House Panel Backs Repeal of Motorcycle Helmet Mandate

A Virginia House of Delegates committee endorsed legislation Friday allowing motorcyclists 21 and older to ride without a helmet.

The Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee voted 13-7 to send the measure to the House floor, where bills to relax the helmet law have died in close votes four years in a row. Last year’s vote was 51-46.

Del. Bill Janis, R-Henrico and sponsor of the bill, says helmets can contribute to accidents by impairing riders’ peripheral vision. Adults should be free to weigh the benefits and risks of wearing a helmet and decide for themselves, Janis has argued.

Representatives of law enforcement, medical, insurance and traffic safety organizations opposed the bill at a subcommittee hearing Thursday. They argued that the bill would lead to more deaths and serious injuries, driving up insurance rates and health care costs borne by taxpayers.

Latest Comments

• February 10, 2006 at 1:28 am

  Robert says:

  It\'s a free country and you can do what you want, handglide, skydive, whatever, as long as the rest of us don\'t have to pay for it. But that\'s the problem isn\'t it - We al... read more
• February 9, 2006 at 4:55 am

  InTheWind says:

  You can tell who really rides and those that watch just by their position on this type of bill. If you have ever ridden with a bucket on your head you would know why they don... read more
• February 8, 2006 at 8:15 am

  Anonymous says:

  How about an \"emergency services waiver\", enabling any health care provider to refuse sevice unless you can prove you can pay for it? Coupled with a \"no helmet while riding... read more