2022 Petition Initiatives-Part 8 Of A Series

By Gordon HopkinsOne of the many petitions being considered for the 2022 election is the Motorcycle Helmet Initiative, the object, “Eliminate the helmet requirement for autocycles, motorcycles and mopeds.”If approved by voters, the petition would require eye protection. “A person shall not operate a motorcycle or moped on any highway in this state unless such person is using eye protection. Eye protection means glasses that cove the orbital region of a person’s face, a protective face shield attached to a protective helmet, goggles, or a windshield on the motorcycle or moped that protects the operator’s horizontal line of vision in all operating positions.”The current law requires all riders to wear helmets.The Petition ProcessNebraska is one of 24 states that allow citizens to initiate legislation through the petition process.In order to get a state statue initiative on the ballot, a petition must be signed by at least seven percent of registered voters in the state. This is different from a constitutional amendment, which require 10 percent.New petitions are continuing to be added. When this series began, there were 12 petitions circulating. As of press time, that number has increased to 16.The deadline to submit signatures is July 7, 2022.SponsorsThe bill is co-sponsored by Robert Rhodes of Elkhorn and Brenda Foustner of North Platte. FJN reached out to Rhodes and asked him why he felt this change in the law was needed. As of press time a response was not received. FJN did not find contact information for Foustner.LB 581In addition to the petition, there is a legislative bill, LB 581, that would also eliminate the helmet law. One of supporters of the bill in 2021 was Senator Tom Brandt (District 32). The bill has carried over to the 2022 legislative session.OpponentsIn an open letter published in February of 2021, the Highway Safety Coalition urge lawmakers to keep the helmet law, “Motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69 percent and lower the risk of death by 42 percent. In 2019, there were 9.3 times as many unhelmeted fatalities (1,682 fatalities) in states without a universal helmet law compared to states with a universal helmet law (180 fatalities) (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). These states were nearly equivalent with respect to total resident populations.”According to the Government Accountability Office, ‘laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets are the only strategy proved to be effective in reducing motorcyclist fatalities.’ After Michigan weakened its all-rider helmet law in 2012, the percentage of non-helmeted crash scene fatalities quadrupled, and motorcyclist trauma patients who were hospitalized with a head injury rose 14 percent.”Some of these numbers are echoed by the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) and the Nebraska Department of Transportation.The coalition also pointed out the increased cost to taxpayers, “Multiple studies of states that have repealed their motorcycle helmet law experience an increase in rider deaths, serious and disabling brain injuries and medical costs usually borne by taxpayers and the state. The repeal of all-rider motorcycle helmet laws has led to increased economic costs in many states.”

Jefferson County Surveyor Announces Retirement

‘Band-Aid’ Applied To Depot Roof,But More Permanent Solution Needed

Related Articles

Sheriff’s Office Ramps Up Drug Arrests

Steele City Contracts With New Water Operator

Saturday Morning House Fire In Fairbury

VFW Search For Family Of Gold Star Recipient