Association of Calif. Insurance Companies Opposes Weakening Motorycle Helmet Law

January 9, 2006

New legislation, SB 969 has been introduced by Sen. Denise Ducheny, D-San Diego, to permit motorcyclists 18 years and older to ride without helmets if they can show proof of having medical insurance. The bill is scheduled to be considered Tuesday, Jan. 10, by the Senate Transportation and Health Committee.

The Association of California Insurance Companies (ACIC) is opposing the legislation, saying the law change would increase the number of injuries and deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents.

"Medical insurance will not save lives," said ACIC President Sam Sorich. He noted that helmet laws that apply only to young or inexperienced drivers are not effective in reducing death rates.

"Research has shown that, in those states where helmet laws apply only to young drivers, death rates from head injuries remain twice as high as in states where laws are universal - applying to all drivers," he said.

The Association of California Insurance Companies (ACIC) is an affiliate of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) and represents more than 300 property/casualty insurance companies doing business in California.