Greenville Legislator Proposes New South Carolina Motorcycle Helmet Law
Due to concerns about brain injuries, a bill currently before the South Carolina Senate would require every motorcycle rider in the state to wear a helmet.
January 01, 2012
After any motor vehicle accident, a wide range of factors go into assessment of damages, and the determination is all the more complex if a person suffers a traumatic brain injury. Motorcycle accidents in particular are a common cause of serious head injuries, and a recent legal development in South Carolina seeks to mandate better protections for riders.A bill currently before the South Carolina Senate would require every motorcycle rider in the state to wear a helmet. The proposed law, sponsored by Greenville Senator Ralph Anderson, would strike the language in the existing law that limits the requirement of helmets to riders under the age of 21.
Currently, 20 American states require all motorcyclists to wear helmets, while only three require no helmet use at all. According to auto insurance industry data, 21 states also have laws to require at least some bicyclists to wear helmets.
All South Carolina motorcycle riders were required to wear helmets from 1967 until 1980, when the legal mandate was limited to young riders. The change back to a comprehensive helmet law is opposed by groups such A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments. An ABATE spokesman recently emphasized that they have no problem with helmets, but don't agree that government interference is justified.
South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Trends
The latest South Carolina Department of Public Safety Traffic Collision Fact Book reveals that an average of more than 100 riders lost their lives in South Carolina motorcycle accidents in recent years. The good news is that biker collision and fatality rates are down, given that motorcycle registrations are at an all time high.
Every biker knows that South Carolina streets and highways provide endless miles of great riding opportunities, and motorcycles are a smart and economical transportation choice. But every rider also knows that awareness of road hazards, careless motorists and big trucks can make a major difference. Whether or not a rider chooses to implement all protective gear, accidents caused by another party's negligence may be a subject for discussion with a South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney.
Article provided by Christian & Davis, LLC
Visit us at www.christiandavislaw.com