Sen.Lautenberg attacks bikers again!

[Momz]

Senator Frank Lautenberg (C-NJ) is at it again! On Dec 12th he filed an amendment (Lautenberg Amendment #1) that would drastically alter the motorcyclist safety grant program, indirectly force states to pass mandatory universal helmet laws, by using federal dollars to only promote the use of helmets and not promote motorcycle safety, riders ed and driver awareness. More specifically, the amendment alters the current motorcycle safety grant program (a.k.a. Section 2010 funds) by loosening the requirements to receive funds for states with mandatory helmet laws. States that allow choice would see their qualification criteria become stricter in order to receive safety grants.

Additionally, free states would be required to spend 50% of their grant funds on the promotion of helmet usage. The revised use of these funds is contradictory to the spirit in which motorcyclists fought for the safety grant program during the last federal transportation initiative. This amendment would provide zero funding for awareness and education programs. The 2nd threat to motorcyclists is a clause that would lift the ban on NHTSA being able to use federal tax dollars to lobby states to pass mandatory helmet laws. This provision was in the national transportation program beginning in 1998 and was re-affirmed in 2005 after Lautenberg tried to pass a national helmet bill.

Fortunately Lautenberg is 87 and will hopefully die soon. Senaton Jim DeMint (R-SC) is working with the AMA and MRF to prevent this from happening. Since both of our U.S. Senators (Levin & Stabenow) are democrats I don't know that writing them would do any good. If you know anyone who is a member of AMA or MRF I suggest you get in touch with them to see what we can do to stop this!

[9Ball]

this a-hole needs to go.  Too bad the voters have a short memory and essentially forgave him for his scandal.  It will be a good day for this country when he is replaced or forced to retire.

[BigAl]

I wear a helmet.

When I see people riding and not wearing a helmet.

It's not just for protection of crashing.

What if a bird, rock, or some other projectile hits you unprotected knoggen and you pass out.

All your riding skill is mute and you are headed for a dirt nap.

It keeps my head cooler,(WHITE HELMET) shades your eyes from blinding sun, rain is shed, cold is kept at bay,  sound levels are reduced to your ears.

It is good for more than a crash protection item.

In a pinch you can use it as a weapon from an attacker.

Helmets are for more than just crashing.


You can even pawn it for gas money.

[John Schmidt]

I wear a helmet.

When I see people riding and not wearing a helmet.

It's not just for protection of crashing.

What if a bird, rock, or some other projectile hits you unprotected knoggen and you pass out.

All your riding skill is mute and you are headed for a dirt nap.

It keeps my head cooler,(WHITE HELMET) shades your eyes from blinding sun, rain is shed, cold is kept at bay,  sound levels are reduced to your ears.

It is good for more than a crash protection item.

In a pinch you can use it as a weapon from an attacker.

Helmets are for more than just crashing.


You can even pawn it for gas money.

Al, I totally agree. As I've said on many occasions; "a helmet is a lot less restrictive than a wheelchair."

[Valkahuna]

I wear a helmet.

When I see people riding and not wearing a helmet.

It's not just for protection of crashing.

What if a bird, rock, or some other projectile hits you unprotected knoggen and you pass out.

All your riding skill is mute and you are headed for a dirt nap.

It keeps my head cooler,(WHITE HELMET) shades your eyes from blinding sun, rain is shed, cold is kept at bay,  sound levels are reduced to your ears.

It is good for more than a crash protection item.

In a pinch you can use it as a weapon from an attacker.

Helmets are for more than just crashing.


You can even pawn it for gas money.

Al,

While I agree with you totally (well, maybe not about the "weapon" or "pawning for gas" shtick), and would not ride without a helmet, I don't want a law that tells us it's mandatory. Just another gubiment intrusion into our lives.  

JMHO  

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Yep, just another A-hole from NJ.

[Clark]

when they passed the helmet law in ohio in i believe 1969 I pissed and moaned its unconstitutional and alll that.. 2 weeks later I Tboned a car at 70 mph. flew 47 ft. over the car and hit helmet first on the pavement. (ok no jokes).. but if it werent for a helmet law I wouldnt be here.. (ok no snide comments) WILLOW.. but I'm jus sayin.. it would probably save lives.. kinda like seat belts.. my .02

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

He knows most of us are gun owners and he hates gun owners.  

[olddog1946]

I am a helmet wearer...and for the life of me do not understand why people don't wear one.
I am also a member of ABATE, and advocate the right to choose...I choose a helmet.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

As I've said before, I do industrial maintenance in a hot, filthy plant. Many times when heading home I will have grease, hydraulic oil or just a days worth of sweat and dirt in my hair and on my head. I wear an expensive helmet, and I always wear it when I'm riding to work through the country, past deer and other wildlife hours before dawn. But, when I'm heading home covered with filth, the jacket goes in the saddlebag and the helmet goes on the backrest no matter how cold it is.

If I was forced by law to wear a helmet on my way home then I'd have to use an old football or yard-sale helmet I could afford to throw away every week. Obviously, a law like that would make me less safe, not more safe.

When it's voluntary it's a safety issue, when it's mandatory it's a freedom issue. So many people want to make everything they don't do themselves illegal. I guess it's a motivation I don't understand and hopefully never will.

[Bonzo]

As I've said before, I do industrial maintenance in a hot, filthy plant. Many times when heading home I will have grease, hydraulic oil or just a days worth of sweat and dirt in my hair and on my head. I wear an expensive helmet, and I always wear it when I'm riding to work through the country, past deer and other wildlife hours before dawn. But, when I'm heading home covered with filth, the jacket goes in the saddlebag and the helmet goes on the backrest no matter how cold it is.

If I was forced by law to wear a helmet on my way home then I'd have to use an old football or yard-sale helmet I could afford to throw away every week. Obviously, a law like that would make me less safe, not more safe.

When it's voluntary it's a safety issue, when it's mandatory it's a freedom issue. So many people want to make everything they don't do themselves illegal. I guess it's a motivation I don't understand and hopefully never will.

Bandana?

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

As I've said before, I do industrial maintenance in a hot, filthy plant. Many times when heading home I will have grease, hydraulic oil or just a days worth of sweat and dirt in my hair and on my head. I wear an expensive helmet, and I always wear it when I'm riding to work through the country, past deer and other wildlife hours before dawn. But, when I'm heading home covered with filth, the jacket goes in the saddlebag and the helmet goes on the backrest no matter how cold it is.

If I was forced by law to wear a helmet on my way home then I'd have to use an old football or yard-sale helmet I could afford to throw away every week. Obviously, a law like that would make me less safe, not more safe.

When it's voluntary it's a safety issue, when it's mandatory it's a freedom issue. So many people want to make everything they don't do themselves illegal. I guess it's a motivation I don't understand and hopefully never will.

Bandana?

[9Ball]

Yep, just another A-hole from NJ.

 

[Clark]

we have this thread about 3 times a year.. bottom line for me is if you choose not to wear a helmet and become brain dead have someone figure out how to euthanize you so you dont cost the taxpayers millions of dollars to have yer ass wiped

[Momz]

Clark and all others that have misconstrude this post.
ABATE/AMA/MRF are for freedom of choice, not to make helmets illegal.

But the bigger issue is raiding the earmarked funding for training and awareness.
By raiding these funds and useing them to villify bikers is WRONG!

The forum readers need to read the entire post before commenting on this/these issues.

Thank you and ride safe

[musclehead]

thats the thing with him and his ilk, they don't trust anyone to do the right thing. he's also been pushing for EOBR's for ALL 18 wheelers. he loves to spend other peoples money. EOBR's are electronic on board recorders. before you think this would be a good thing the cost will be handed down to the consumer, just like the higher fuel costs.

frank 'the lout' lautenburg needs to retire

[f6john]

    Does anyone have the exact number of bikers who are currently brain dead and having to have their asses wiped at taxpayer expense vs those other brain dead people who didn't even need a helmet but are still having to have their asses wiped at our expense? If we all agree to wear helmets 100 percent of the time will we get some sort of rebate or tax reduction? Instead of all this fuss over helmets and expensive ass wiping we should just add about 2-3000 lbs of protective steel and a couple of extra wheels for added stability maybe even roll bars and airbags and really cut down on all this unnecessary medical expense. Wouldn't cost us hardly anything to do as just about all of us have cages.

[Valkahuna]

Clark and all others that have misconstrude this post.
ABATE/AMA/MRF are for freedom of choice, not to make helmets illegal.

But the bigger issue is raiding the earmarked funding for training and awareness.
By raiding these funds and useing them to villify bikers is WRONG!

The forum readers need to read the entire post before commenting on this/these issues.

Thank you and ride safe

No "miscontruding" on my part. I am an AMA member, follow most of these issues closely, and agree that the "bad" part of this is the raiding of the funds that can be used for many more useful purposes. As I said, I "choose" to wear a helmet, and want everyone to have the same right. I also take MSF Advanced Rider courses, carry additional Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist insurance, and have a decent health insurance policy. In other words, I do what I can to be responsible. But, this is America, and we have freedom to do what we choose. There are numerous other activities that are quite legal, and the performance of which can leave one brain dead, and in need of an "a$$ wiper" also.

Skiing is just one example, as is mountain climbing, snow mobileing, skate boarding, etc, etc, etc. Yet these activities do not get the same scrutiny as our sport does, and yet can be just as disabling.

I would suggest that everyone that enjoys motorcycles join AMA, and stays abreast of what they are fighting for on our behalf. 

[texaninsouthfl]

   Does anyone have the exact number of bikers who are currently brain dead and having to have their asses wiped at taxpayer expense vs those other brain dead people who didn't even need a helmet but are still having to have their asses wiped at our expense? If we all agree to wear helmets 100 percent of the time will we get some sort of rebate or tax reduction? Instead of all this fuss over helmets and expensive ass wiping we should just add about 2-3000 lbs of protective steel and a couple of extra wheels for added stability maybe even roll bars and airbags and really cut down on all this unnecessary medical expense. Wouldn't cost us hardly anything to do as just about all of us have cages.

Good question.... exactly how many hundreds or thousands of crashed, non-helmet wearing bikers are needing their asses wiped on the taxpayer dollar. I've always suspected that that is one of those arguments that people don't question but may not have all that much truth to it.

I CHOOSE to wear a helmet most of the time... and the other day a fellow had an interesting take on head injuries (and therefore the notion we should be REQUIRED to wear a helmet). He claimed he'd read a study that shows that a sizable percentage of fatalities in cages are due to head injuries and therefore if we're going to use the same logic, we should require cage occupants to wear helmets also.