GOVERNOR VETOED MOTORCYCLE HELMET BILL

On June 13, 2008, Governor Jennifer Granholm vetoed Enrolled House Bill 4749. “When involved in a crash, an unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15 percent more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist. Lifetime, long-term care costs for treatment of head injuries have been shown to be between $4 million and $9 million, far more than the $20,000 personal injury protection required under this bill to ride helmet free. Costs to treat these injuries would be borne by all Michigan citizens in the form of higher insurance rates. Helmets save lives and reduced serious injury.” said Governor Granholm. “For these reasons, I returned Enrolled House Bill 4749 without signature.”