Your tax deductible contribution will help FairWarning to deliver strong investigative journalism in the public interest.After a long fight, Missouri motorcycle enthusiasts are coming even closer to the freedom of deciding whether or not they wear a helmet. First-round approval has been granted to a bill that would lift the previous state law that required motorcyclists to wear protective head gear while on the road. The vote, however, was a narrow one. With just one more House vote, the issue will advance on to the Senate. Eric Burlison, Republican from Springfield, is hopeful that the helmet law indeed is appealed. It’s the opinion of him and many others that the government doesn’t have the power to decide whether or not motorcyclists take protective measures while driving. This is something riders should have the right to decide for themselves. Missouri is currently one of only 19 states that have a law requiring the use of a helmet for motorcycle riders, and a growing number of citizens argue that it’s time for Missouri to join the majority.

Burlison said, “It’s time that Missouri join those states and give our individuals freedom.” Some feel the bill is being introduced for a more covert purpose. It’s the opinion of St. Louis County Democrat Deb Lavender that it’s a “jobs bill.” He indicates that it would be of the benefit to the medical industry as more jobs will arise for hospitals, physical therapists, surgeons, and others in the field.motorcycle store in covina ca The efforts made have been relentless as Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed the bill back in 2009. gambler motorcycle helmetsIn more recent years, the bill passed the House but didn’t make it through the Senate. motorcycle shop kennewick

If the latest efforts prove successful, there will be stipulations. The rider has the choice of whether or not to wear a helmet, but they must be at least 21 years old, carry special insurance, and go through additional safety training. This entry was posted on Monday, May 16th, 2016 at 7:52 pm by admin and is filed under Current Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.dealer invoice on bmw motorcycle Both comments and pings are currently closed.motorcycle parts killeen texasMissouri House Bill 555 would exempt motorcyclists over 21 from wearing helmetsmotorcycle parachute jacket This week, the Missouri House of Representatives gave first-round approval to House Bill 555, which would repeal our state's current helmet law and allow motorcyclists over age 21 to ride without a helmet. tomtom motorcycle gps australia

Motorcyclists under 21 would still be required to wear a helmet when riding The chamber voted 114-36 to approve the bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield). "At the end of the day, this is about freedom," Rep. Burlison said. The bill must now pass a second House vote before it can move on to the Senate.Nationwide, motorcycle helmet laws remain a divisive issue, and so far, the Missouri motorcycle community's response to HB 555 has been mixed. Some riders feel that wearing a helmet ought to be a personal decision. "I think it should be my own choice whether I put a helmet on," rider Bill Worley told the Springfield News-Leader. "My wife and I take ours off when we go through other states." Others have expressed concerns about an increase of motorcycle injuries and fatalities without a mandatory helmet law in place. “I’m not in favor of it because I think [helmet use] saves you from head injuries, and anything else, I know a lot of people are really for it because they like the freedom, but I think it’s safer to have it on,” rider Patty Goodish told KFVS.

HB 555 isn't the Legislature's only current attempt to modify Missouri's helmet law. Recently, we also blogged about House Bill 341, which proposes a suspension of the helmet law during the month of August, just as hundreds of thousands of riders set out for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. HB 341's sponsor, Rep. Delus Johnson (R-St. Joseph) and Rep. Burlison agree that relaxing Missouri's helmet laws would allow riders freedom of choice and generate revenue for the state - by encouraging riders to travel through (rather than around) Missouri. "It's going to promote tourism, it's going to promote economic development, it's going to promote a lot of freedom in our state," said Rep. Johnson, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.Missouri's current helmet law was enacted in 1967, when the federal government required states to pass helmet laws to qualify for certain safety programs and construction funds. Within the next eight years, 47 states had enacted such laws. Then, in 1976, Congress revoked the Department of Transportation's ability to penalize individual states without helmet laws, which prompted several states to relax or repeal their laws.

Now, helmet use is optional for adults in 31 states, including several that border Missouri (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and Illinois).In 2009, the Missouri Legislature voted to repeal the helmet law, but Governor Nixon vetoed that bill. Under our state's existing law, riders of all ages are required to wear helmets or they are subject to a $300 fine on the first offense. Subsequent violations can result in increased fines or even jail time.Aaron Sachs and Associates is a personal injury law firm serving Missouri motorcycle accident victims. To contact us, call us toll-free at 1-888-777-AUTO, or visit our website. Offices in Springfield, Joplin, Columbia, Cape Girardeau and Kansas City. Look Twice Save a Life Find out more information and register today! Help Veterans in the OzarksYou can still smell the burning rubber and hear the sickening sound of your motorcycle crashing to the ground. In an instant you went from a nice ride on a cool day to a world of pain. Most motorcycle riders have been or will be in a crash at some point in their riding years.

Because a motorcycle offers no protection from the elements in a crash, serious injuries are common in motorcycle accidents. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a motorcycle crash anywhere in Missouri, you should speak to an experienced lawyer who can help you get compensation for your injuries while holding the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Call former rider and skilled attorney Alvin Wolff Jr. at 314-241-2500 for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the particulars of your potential claim. A motorcycle rider doesn’t have the protection of air bags or a car to shelter him or her from the impact of a crash. For that reason, motorcycle accidents often end in serious injury to the rider. If you’ve been in an accident, some common injuries that you may be facing include: If you’re dealing with a big injury, you likely have big medical bills as well. This hardly seems fair when you’re the victim of someone else’s negligence.

Statistics show that the other driver, not the motorcycle rider, is typically at fault in most motorcycle accidents. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to put the blame on someone else and trying to lowball victims on a fair compensation. When you’re dealing with big injuries, you can’t afford to settle for less. Rather than trying to settle a significant claim on your own, trust the experience of a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer who can get you the full amount of compensation you deserve. Alvin Wolff Jr. has experience representing victims of motorcycle accidents like you. Get a free consultation, call 314-241-2500 today. We have created an addition resource for those looking for information as it relates to the best St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyer. Please use this resource to learn more about causes of motorcycle accidents and your legal rights. As experienced personal injury lawyers we will help you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.