WASHINGTON, DC – This week President Obama released his ideal version of a transportation bill. The proposal has a specific provision that would allow the federal government to push a mandatory helmet law, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) reports.
Parking: Buried in the 350 page document is language that would amend current United States code, which provides the motorcycle safety money that would allow “the Secretary [of transportation] or the Secretary’s designee [to] engage in activities with States and State legislators to consider proposals related to motorcycle helmet use laws.”
This provision is unacceptable to the MRF, and it’s safe to say, the United States House of Representatives. Labeled as “Support Activity” in the draft legislation, it’s a thinly veiled stab at a mandatory national helmet law.
The draft is titled “Generating Renewal, Opportunity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America,” or GROW AMERICA Act. You can read the whole document here:
http://www.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/DOT_surface_reauth-FINAL.pdf
The draft legislation also has incentive grants for graduated auto licensing.
The MRF urges you to contact your Representative in the House and both of your Senators. You can reach the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. In addition, the MRF asks that you contact the White House directly and let them know you are not pleased with the helmet use provisions of President Obama’s GROW AMERICA Act. You can reach the White House several different ways from this website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation urges you to join your fellow freedom fighters in Washington on May 15th to lobby Congress and help stop this legislation. Please register for the event on the MRF website. If you have any questions about attending this most important day for motorcyclists, please call the MRF Washington D.C. office.
The MRF is committed to preserving your freedoms in every possible way.
