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* From that AAA poll we talked about already today…
Would you support an all-rider motorcycle helmet law in Illinois?
Yes 87%
No 13%
ABATE organized to the hilt when John Cullerton was pushing hard every year for a motorcycle helmet mandate. Cullerton eventually backed off because he realized all he was doing with every bill introduction was making the group stronger. But, hey, times change.
* The Question: Would you support an all-rider motorcycle helmet law in Illinois? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:20 pm
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Absolutely. We mandate safety protocols all the time. Saving lives trumps a person’s desire to have the wind blowing through their hair.
Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:24 pm
Motorcycle seatbelts are the real answer.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:25 pm
I voted nah. Helmet-less cyclists help keep wait times low for organ transplants.
Also, freedom n’ stuff.
Comment by sulla Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:31 pm
You either mandate it for motorcycles, or eliminate the requirement for seatbelts in cars. Exact same concept.
Comment by Smalls Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:33 pm
I put an excalmation mark in my first comment. Oops.
Absolutely, save the idiots from themselves. People dying because they aren’t comfortable or because toxic masculinity makes them think they are proving something is not defensible. Your head is not harder than asphalt guys.
Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:35 pm
I voted “nope” and not because I’m a “dope”, but because I like the feel of the wind blowing through my hair, or what’s left of it. Open caskets are overrated anyway.
Comment by Tommydanger Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:37 pm
=== You either mandate it for motorcycles, or eliminate the requirement for seatbelts in cars. Exact same concept. ===
Mostly, although unrestrained persons in a car are a big danger to others in the car — the unrestrained person is like a flying missile, whereas the unhelmeted person is only a danger to themself.
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:38 pm
With the loss of Forby and the retirement of Trotter there really isn’t a spokesperson on the issue in the senate.
Comment by The Real Captain Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:40 pm
Voted no because organ donations, the reason EMT’s here refer to these things as “donorcycles”. Passengers yes absolutely require helmets. But if some guy buys a bike and wants to take the chance of bouncing his head off the pavement at 70 mph, who am I to tell him no?
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:43 pm
As a big-gub’ment liberal, I couldn’t care less about a helmet law. If you want to die, die. No one else is at risk, and lots of people could use organ transplants from living examples of Darwinism.
Comment by PJ Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:45 pm
There is a reason motorcycle racers where helmets. It is a required piece of PPE.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:51 pm
I voted no for the simple reason that the only life the helmet protects is the rider of the motorcycle. Our society allows risky behavior all the time for the sake of freedom. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t allow skydiving (yet another activity where people like to feel the wind blowing through their hair…maybe people should just buy powerful fans?). If this law helped to protect the lives of innocent people then it would be a completely different story. In that respect, I would totally support requiring a helmet for motorcycle passengers who are minors, just like we require carseats for children in cars. It’s not a child’s fault if they have an irresponsible parent. But for adults, let natural selection take its course.
Comment by Occasional Quipper Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:53 pm
classic example of government telling you what to do on the vehicle you paid for on the streets you pay for
Comment by voted no Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:54 pm
Yes, for the many reasons listed on this site. BTW, Cullerton is also quoted on this site near the middle.
https://one.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/safebike/costs.html
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:56 pm
Voted yes. Who pays the ER bills?
Comment by very old soil Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 2:58 pm
I think there should be a law that if someone on a motorcycle has a non-survivable accident, there is mandatory organ donation. Just help yourself to the organs
Comment by Groundhog Day Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:01 pm
I don’t give a rat’s patoot if someone rides without a helmet (I’ve done it myself back when I was young and foolish). But I don’t want my insurance rates going up to pay because of it. People try to portray this as a straightforward self-regarding choice, but the consequences can in fact be other-regarding. So I voted yes.
Comment by Flapdoodle Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:02 pm
I voted yes. Long term disability payments are made by the state from everyone’s taxes, therefore the state gets to say if helmets are required or not. You do not have to be going fast to be permanently injured on a motorcycle. All it takes is one bad fall.
Comment by SpfdNewb Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:09 pm
Yes, the socially responsible answer.
Comment by d. p. gumby Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:11 pm
I always thought that insurance companies would eventually require helmets as a condition of coverage…but it hasn’t happened.
Comment by dr. reason a, goodwin Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:12 pm
No. I have no problems with people wearing helmets when riding, but to be forced by law to do it? Absolutely not.
Comment by Chris Hansen Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:13 pm
Voted no. Not to argue with Montrose, but he/she should have said, “We mandate safety protocols too much of the time.”
Comment by Whatever Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:14 pm
Voted no. Whats next. Mandatory seat belts for adults?
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:16 pm
I am always amused by hard core ABATE supporters who refuse to wear helmets but then post signs on their front yards exhorting us to, “Start Seeing motorcycles.” They oppose “big government” telling them what to do, but they have no problem telling me what to do. Hypocrites.
Comment by Scamp640 Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:17 pm
Voted no. We don’t need another safety mandate. Let people choose.
Comment by Get It Solved Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:17 pm
Scamp,
So a motorcyclist should be required to wear a helmet because you can’t be bothered to notice a motorcycle and hit them?
Comment by Rebel13 Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:20 pm
No. The seatbelt analogy doesnt work. Seatbelts serve more purposes other than saving the life of the driver. Helmets do nothing to help protect others.
Comment by Harvest76 Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:22 pm
I voted no. Thin the herd.
Comment by Tell Me Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:24 pm
I have been riding for approx 45 years and when I game a helmet on I have a significant hearing loss which is very unsafe. Als with a helmet on your head and neck takes a significant beating.
Comment by Martin Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:24 pm
Yes. because doctors call them “donorcycles.”
“
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:28 pm
Voted yes because I want to be protected from seeing someone hit their head on the pavement while going 70mph.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:30 pm
If it doesn’t affect the insurance rates of all Illinoisans, let them ride with the wind in their hair. Common sense has obviously been left in the helmet on the shelf in the garage.
Comment by Neophyte Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:31 pm
I vote no. Ask anyone that has wore a helmet on a hot humid summer day. It cuts down on your hearing which is dangerous in traffic, becomes hit, and hunid making it gorrible for breathing on really bad days, and cuts my ablity to turn my had as far to see behind me when i need to. I iwn full face and half helemts and i do wear them when i deem trio, or weather is necessary. Imagine on a hit humid july day driving your car with no AC and the windows up, and not being able to as quickly or at all check all your blond spots.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:34 pm
As a life long rider I believe it should be the riders choice.I personally wear one most of the time but for a quick run down the road or tuning a bike I like to hear it better.
Comment by ftwflh Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:34 pm
As someone who joined and supported ABATE when they shut down Cullerton, it’s still “no”. But since motorcycle sales and ridership has fallen so far in the past twenty years, a helmet law could probably pass now. I’ll support it when we mandate helmet use for all occupants in all vehicles. After all, that would save way more lives than just mandating helmet use on motorcycles, right?
Comment by Stuntman Bob's Brother Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:34 pm
Bought my first motorcycle in 1972 and have been riding ever since so have a bit of experience. Hit the ground in 1980 and 1985 and have one slightly stiff knee, never a head injury. I have a helmet and have worn them when I felt it was a good idea at the time. No problem with people wearing helmets just a problem with them being made mandatory. Helmets are heavy and restrict your hearing and vision and the extra weight can cause neck injuries in an accident. So not only will a helmet help no one except the wearer it can also cause injuries. This is also why the Illinois Supreme Court ruled the Illinois helmet law to be unconstitunal. Why would anyone propose or vote for a law that has already been ruled unconstitunal is certainly beyond me. I will guarantee you all if another helmet law would go into effect it will be challenged in court and overturned.
Comment by Rider for 47 years Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:35 pm
I believe it should be the riders choice whether or not they want to take the risk of not wearing a helmet.
Comment by Chris Richter Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:37 pm
@ Rebel13. I have owned two motorcycles in my life. I regularly ride my bicycle. At all times, I wear a helmet with reflective material.
I try my very best to be a conscientious driver regardless of what kind of vehicle I am driving or what kind of vehicles are around me. Why should I give “special” attention to motorcyclists? What makes them “special” when they won’t even do their best to protect themselves?
If they would wear helmets, with bright reflective materials, I would welcome their exhortation. However, when they ask me to put their safety in my hands when they won’t even do their best to be seen and safe, it strikes me as being very anti-libertarian and hypocritical. If ABATE advocates ask me to see them, they should be doing everything possible to help me see them. Otherwise, they speak empty words.
Comment by Scamp640 Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:40 pm
I have friends who own and love their Harleys. Half of them always use helmets and the others refuse. I only had one friend involved in an accident when an auto in too much of a hurry to get to the Mall cut him off in Fairview Heights some years ago. He wore a helmet but did not survive.
Comment by illini Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:47 pm
The 1969 IL Supreme Court judgment:
https://law.justia.com/cases/illinois/supreme-court/1969/41624-5.html
That said, a lot of things have changed in 50 years. Mandatory seatbelt use didn’t even become a “thing” until the late ’80’s in Illinois.
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:48 pm
My memory of this issue is that Illinois loses federal funding by not having a helmet law. We should raise the motorcycle fee to match whatever that funding amount is. (If I’m confusing my issues I apologize; I’m sure someone will correct me.)
Comment by Just Me 2 Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:52 pm
Voted no. Down with Cullerton’s Nanny State.
Comment by Collinsville Kevin Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:52 pm
Voted yes. Sometimes people have to be protected from themselves. And in this case, these are often young riders who haven’t had the opportunity to learn. With all the distracted drivers on the roads today, I believe helmets will save lives.
Comment by SSL Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 3:56 pm
Yes, because there is a cost to society at large to pay for lifetime care for those who are severely incapacitated in accidents, or for extra medical care, generally through higher health care premiums.
Comment by Hieronymus Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 4:01 pm
If motorcycle riders want to be ignorant and open themselves up to bashing their uncovered head into the ground then by all means, let them do that.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 4:15 pm
People need to be free to suffer catostrophic injuries that will in turn raise our insurance premiums.
Comment by A State Employee Guy Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 4:21 pm
I voted no.
It won’t be long before big blue state Illinois government dictates that you have to have state approved non-skid shoes on before you can take a walk around the block and only if it’s not raining.
Comment by redleg Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 4:29 pm
I vote no helmet law. First off, this is an AAA poll. How many voting actually ride a bike? Biggest threat to bikers on the road is the car driver. Oh I didn’t see them is always the reason. Riders know they’re on two wheels and ride very safely. Been riding 45 years with no helmet.
Comment by Kenn Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 4:38 pm
I voted no .Over 200k on two wheels. Helmets restrict sound and side vision. Dropped my bike at McDonalds because of oil on pavement…couldn’t do the splits when my foot kept sliding.
Comment by Big foot Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 4:39 pm
Effingham County, can we get a helmet-free sanctuary resolution over here?
Comment by Midstate Indy Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:06 pm
I had this conversation many times with a friend working in a Neuro ICU, he always told me that if a motorcycle crash is bad enough to kill you, a helmet likely won’t do much to prevent that. However, it will make the difference between a broken arm or leg and some form of paralysis; which for some might feel like a fate worse than death.
I thought about these conversations when I met with ABATE while working on Capitol Hill. I wanted to counter their request: if they didn’t HAVE to wear a helmet, than can insurance not HAVE to cover treatment for preventable injuries? Or can hospitals not HAVE to provide treatment for uninsured motorcyclists who don’t wear helmets?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:08 pm
If you don’t ride, feel free to shut the f up before I ask to decide to regulate your behaviors. I’m a 60 year old rider and I do wear a helmet, On my own choice, not yours.
Comment by Dan Dixon Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:15 pm
As -anon221- noted, the courts have already weighed in on this. I don’t see where a new law would fare any better.
Personally, I wore a helmet most of the time. I insisted my young son always wear one. But sometimes I just used glasses if I was only riding around town for the better hearing and side vision.
Funny thing about windshields and helmets with visors, they don’t always have the desired results. One time on the highway with a big bike with fairing and windshield, wearing a helmet, I had a yellow jacket hit my chest and bounce up into my helmet behind the visor. I hauled the bike down so fast it scared Mrs RNUG who was on the back. Even with all the eye protection, I ended up stung between my eyes.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:21 pm
I voted no, because if you want to risk your own life that’s your own issue. However, I’m with Anonymous @ 5:08, if you choose to not wear a helmet your insurance company should be free to deny coverage. Frankly, I think that should also apply to people injured in car accidents that don’t wear seatbelts. Let’s have some consequences for poor life choices.
Comment by MyTwoCents Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:27 pm
Most deaths on motorcycles are because someone hit us. Want to eliminate 80% of all types of accidents mandate cell phone jammers in cars while in motion, distracted driving is the main cause of accidents.
Comment by ABATE member Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:28 pm
No way. It should be a matter of personal choice not a requirement. Let those who ride decide.
Comment by Reptilefan Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:29 pm
If you’re talking safety, then EVERYONE should be required to wear a helmet.Bus drivers, passengers, motorcycle riders, and passenger car operators would all be safer.
Comment by Smitty Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:30 pm
Let those who ride decide. In the mid 70’s a friend took a head injury in a bike accident. Never regained consciousness, in a nursing home for over 40 yrs till he passed. Medicare footed the bill. We all payed for that. Let those who pay decide.
Comment by repete Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:38 pm
==Let those who ride decide.==
How about “Let those who pay decide”? Maybe we should put a surcharge on motorcycle insurance to cover long-term care or catastrophic head injury treatment?
Comment by Flapdoodle Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:38 pm
I oppose any helmet law. My life is not the government’s job to take care of. If I opt to wear or not wear, the option is mine and should be free of coercion.
Comment by JP Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:39 pm
I voted yes because I have family members who are first responders to motorcycle wrecks.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:45 pm
I have neck problems due to scoliosis and herniated discs. I’ve tried every style of helmet. All of them are very uncomfortable for my neck. I also easily get headaches from having something on my head. If I had to wear a helmet I probably wouldn’t be able to ride. I enjoy the freedom of riding and a helmet law would take that freedom.
Comment by Jazz Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:45 pm
NOPE, IMHO it violates my freedom of choice just like the seatbelt law does. provide me with the statistics on safety, however, allow me the freedom to chose what I prefer to do.
Comment by Bullfrog Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:51 pm
I voted no because comments here made me doubt the net safety effects of helmets. Riders indicated they felt safer riding without helmets. It also seems that riders were only endangering themselves.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 6:04 pm
No.. there are more head injuries in auto accidents. Maybe all drivers need to wear them.
Comment by Steve Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 6:12 pm
I voted no, the only time I was ever close to having an accident was because of a distracted driver in a car who was either on their cell phone or arguing with someone else in their car. Will there be helmet laws for horseback riding, snowboarding, skiing, driving a convertible car?
Comment by Olga Jones Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 6:27 pm
Saving lives is what it’s all about. Each life matters.
Comment by Dar Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 6:28 pm
Let those who ride decide. If you don’t ride, you shouldn’t be able to vote.
Comment by Barby Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 6:33 pm
I do not support this i feel its up to the rider if they want to wear one or not. Only riders should be able to vote on this.
Comment by harley girl Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 6:41 pm
When I was 16, I was an eyewitness of a car vs motorcycle accident. Neither person on the motorcycle was wearing a helmet. It was awful. I voted yes.
Comment by RIJ Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 6:49 pm
Another law telling people what they can and can’t do? I think we already have way to many of them.
Comment by Cookie Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 6:51 pm
BTW, the motorcyclist pulled out from a side street in front of the car. The car driver tried to serve into a parking lot; there just wasn’t enough time. It was all so very sad.
Comment by RIJ Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 6:55 pm
If you mandate seat belts, mandate helmets. This machismo “ride decide” stuff is garbage. These comments are proof enough of the need for a law.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 7:27 pm
Voted yes. 25 years since I got my license and nearly two decades since I bought my motorcycle. Safety first, always.
Without my helmet, my brains would be somewhere north of Gibson City.
Comment by Odysseus Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 7:28 pm
Listen while would your opinion count if your not the one riding.
Comment by Jim O'Neill Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 7:54 pm
Strange that you have to wear a seat belt but do not have to wear a helmet on a motorcycle.
The motorcycle lobby is very powerful.
Comment by Nonbeleiver Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 8:05 pm
No It is not the Governments job to protect us from ourselves. Helmets can kill you just as easy as they can save your life. They limit visibility a riders best friend.
Comment by Will "regulation is control" Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 8:17 pm
No, we don’t want or need another helmet regulation. Thanks.
Comment by Banjo Bob Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 8:34 pm
Just Me 2 Ill correct you states do not lose federal funding for not having a helmet law
Comment by Glide Rider Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 9:00 pm
I have rode motorcycles for 50 years, never wearing a helmet, although I am not opposed to those who prefer to wear one. I feel very strong it should be the riders choice. I feel it is a violation of my rights to be told what to put on my body.
Comment by Sharilyn Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 9:08 pm
RNUG- I still vote Yes. I posted the case more to make a point that this is a 50 year old decision, and that if a more modern law were on the books based on all the research and stats we’ve had since then, maybe the new law would stand. For me it’s more a societal cost, as I pointed out in my first post here today on this thread.
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 9:27 pm
I wear my helmet, recommend others to do so…but you know…that freedom thing gets in the way.
Comment by Shanks Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 9:38 pm
I lost my only brother four years ago when he died on his Harley. No law would have prevented him from riding without a helmet, but maybe a helmet law would have triggered a police officer to pull him over before he attempted a turn going too fast due to liquid courage. I miss him every day.
And yeah, I ride, too.. and a skullcap does just fine for me. I will never ride without a helmet.
I’m all about freedom, but there’s also sensibility. It’s well past time that we get a helmet law in place in IL.
Comment by It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 9:53 pm
I vote NO for the simple fact that if you’re going to mandate anything, how ’bout no cell phones when behind the wheel? Most of the time there’s a motorcycle accident it was caused by a careless or distracted car driver.
Comment by R.L. Wolf Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:32 pm
Let those who ride decide.
Comment by Bikerbob/ RURAL ROUTE Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 10:35 pm
It should be riders’ choice. Helmets are not always a good thing in a crash. Helmets can be unsafe to riders when it comes to hearing or being able to view something on their side. Why not concentrate on ensuring everyone is obeying the laws in place already, like the “no texting” ban. Let’s see the punishments strengthened for dui, texting while driving, etc. For those who are worried about insurance rates, why not talk to your reps about increasing the punishments for these things as well as for driving w/o insurance.
Comment by Turn34@MyChoice Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:38 pm
It’s about the freedom of choice. All of you that voted yes enjoy giving up your freedoms go right ahead but leave us motorcycle riders out of it. How about a law that requires you to put your phone in the trunk of your car? How many of you would do that.
Comment by Chewie Wednesday, Mar 27, 19 @ 12:46 am
It’s nobody’s business if I decide to wear a helmet or not, just like seat belts. As my teachers used to tell me, “Don’t worry about what others do, worry about yourself”.
Comment by Rick Allen Wednesday, Mar 27, 19 @ 1:28 am
FREEDOM OF CHOICE FREEDOM TO RIDE LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE
Comment by TAZET Wednesday, Mar 27, 19 @ 7:28 am
AAA is trying to put their name in the mainstream because they are a dying org, they have NOTHING to do with motorcycling just like most of the folks here that commented.
Comment by Just me Wednesday, Mar 27, 19 @ 7:48 am
I voted yes. I’m tired of cleaning up brain matter on the roadways.
Comment by Toner Wednesday, Mar 27, 19 @ 8:37 am
I think that the argument made re: full helmets interfering with hearing and visibility is a valid argument. There are other types of helmets available that address that issue.
But, please, you look ridiculous when you make the oh so adult “don’t tell me what to do” argument is going strong. Stop arguing like children.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Mar 27, 19 @ 8:55 am
Helmets for all. Tired of my insurance paying for your TBIs.
Comment by LBJ Wednesday, Mar 27, 19 @ 8:57 am