Speak Out! Should Motorcycle Helmets Be Optional?

A measure making motorcycle helmets optional in Pennsylvania was signed into law today by Governor Rendell, bringing an end to the state's 35-year-old mandatory motorcycle helmet law. The new law, which mandates helmets only for riders under 21, and for those with less than two years of riding experience unless they've passed a rider education course, goes into effect on September 4, 2003.

Advocates of the new law say that wearing a helmet should be a matter of personal choice, while opponents fear that increased injury and death rates will raise the burden on state tax payers.

Speak out in the forum: If these people want to ride without a helmet .. if drivers want to drive without seatbelts .. let THEM pay the tab for injuries!! --JIMMERS