Motorcycles and motorcycling are very popular in the lakes region what with the Laconia Motorcycle Week, Meredith Harley Davidson dealer, and the new police motorcycle museum being built in the old Meredith antiques barn. Only New Hampshire, Iowa, and Illinois have no motorcycle helmet laws according to today's Nov 17 article in the
www.concordmonitor.com. It takes all of ten minutes of warm weather driving to figure out that motorcycles are all over the lakes region and there's plenty who chose not to wear a helmet.
Here's some talk about a federal law that would require helmets country-wide. With the Republicans now in majority control of the U.S. House, it seems unlikely to get passed, but one never knows? Driving around the area, it's very common to see plenty of people driving a bike without a helmet. Does it make any difference? According to State Rep Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, current NH House-minority leader and Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Famer: Most all motorcycle deaths would get killed with or without a helmet, so it really don't make any difference, wearing a helmet!
You know something....as a long time motorcycle driver.... State Rep Sherm Packard must know what he's talk'n about and is probably correct on that...helmets do not really matter all that much...
On second thought, this law would probably not have to get passed through congress but would be a rule issued by the National Transportation Safety Board, which is a federal agency within the Dept of Transportation.....so who knows.....& stay tuned??? It seems likely that a national motorcycle helmet law and a national health insurance requirement are health care partners. Oops....did I just say that....but it's probably true.....national health care and national helmets are a natural go-together....even President Obama was on tv the other month riding a bicycle on Martha's Vineyard and guess what......Obama was not wearing his helmet.....it all just shows to go!