MO helmet law repeal

 A bill to repeal the mandatory helmet law for riders 21 and older has
passed the MO Senate and House and is headed for the governor's desk.
The anti-repeal forces are gearing up for a big push to veto it. We
need phone calls to the governor at 573-751-3222 in support of SB202
(the helmet law repeal). That's all you have to say when you call,
that you support SB202. We are really close to returning freedom of
choice to riders in MO but could still lose if we ignore this vital
last step so PLEASE take the 30 seconds or less it takes to call the
governor. Thanks and the drinks are on me.

Smokey

 

Its not really a full repeal. Consessions were made.

Here's an email from a MO MRF Rep;

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kathy Garver
Date: Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 6:35 AM
Subject: [Reps] Good News
To: Reps@mrf.org


Hi all

Just want to let you know that Missouri has had quite a ride this year with
our two key pieces of legislation.  Our helmet modification bill took an
interesting turn early in the session when it was attached to our
comparative fault bill in the Senate.  (Up to that point we had figured our
House bill would be the one to move).  We all held our breath as the Senate
bill was perfected (as several of our staunch advocates were out of the
room) with no amendments.  Then on to the Senate vote where we knew we had
the numbers but needed our supporters to be there.  They were and we passed
the Senate.  Now on to the House. This year brought in new leadership and
with the new leadership came new rules (that you learn as you go along).  We
made it through the House committees with due pass recommendations and on to
the House calendar. We were assured by House leadership that our bills (now
combined into one) would receive sufficient debate time.  The key however
was we had to get through the House without any amendments being added on.
Thanks to the hard work of our bill sponsor (Rep. Gary Dusenburg) he was
able to stop all amendments.  By a vote of 93 to 62 we passed the House!!!
We are now on our way to the Governor with a clean bill which contains both
our comparative fault legislation and our helmet modification bill. Our
helmet bill is 21 and over and does have one interesting concession - you
still have to wear a helmet on the interstate.  I know its a concession but
it was one we were willing to live with (unlike the insurance concessions
they wanted).   WOW what a night last night was.

Ok now for what we need from the other states.  We would like to have some
very nice letters, phone calls, etc. sent to the Governor and Lt Governor
asking them to please let SB202 become law.  We know a lot of riders avoid
coming into the state because of our helmet law so modifying the law to
allow adult freedom of choice will result in more tourism dollars in the
state.  Thanks for all of your support during this wild ride and hopefully I
will be able to report soon that Missouri is now a motorcycle friendly
state.

-Kathy Garver
Asst Rep - Missouri
Freedom of Road Riders
Member #574

 BrianB wrote:

All of that to say it not a repeal!

The interstate is safer than city or county roads, so what's the point?

I call bullshit.....

 

I do indeed try to avoid both Nebraska and Missouri on my trips south for
that very reason.
Unfortunately you can't always do that.
Disappointed about the interstate part which, to me is really stupid -
that's the safest place to ride and where the helmet would probably make
the least difference.
Last year I rode and stayed on the illinois side until I got as far as
Iowa when I would probably have preferred to ride through MO.

Get me an address and I'll write.

Bob

--
Bob Mann

Cap'n, ah need moor pow'r.

 

Great, now get ready for California Air Resources BS on ALL
our bikes, followed by feds telling us what kind of fuel we can
use.

Helmets won't even be a problem anymore.