Helmet Laws

I am a firm believer in wearing a helmet. I have an even stronger
belief that the government has no right to require me to wear one. I
despise that the government spends so much time trying to be my mother
and protect me form myself.

This petition is being circulated both online and hard copy by
motorcyclists around California.

This link is for residents of California

http://www.petitiononline.com/SB969CA/petition.html

This link is for non-residents of California

http://www.petitiononline.com/SB969US/petition.html

The first few lines from the resident petition:

The mandatory helmet requirement for all riders was originally passed
in 1991 by only a single vote. Before it was actually signed into law
by Governor Pete Wilson, a front page article in the San Jose Mercury
News exposed the fact that Assemblyman Dick Floyd, author of the bill,
had lied to his fellow legislators by claiming medical cost savings
that were fraudulent. The Governor chose to sign the legislation into
law rather than send it back for further debate. After the fraud was
exposed, Dick Floyd was never censured or prosecuted for his actions,
though his constituents did vote him out of office in the next election.

Before the mandatory helmet law went into effect in 1992 the fatality
rate per 100 accidents was 3.22. Today, with virtually 100%
compliance, the fatality rate is 3.84. If helmets were effective in
reducing fatalities and injuries this rate would be markedly lower
instead of slightly higher. No matter how you slice it, mandatory
helmet use has proven ineffective in saving lives.

The first few lines from the non-resident petition:

To: The California State Assembly, California State Senate and
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

I am a motorcycle rider from out of state and have recently heard
there is a possibility that California will modify it's helmet law
with SB 969. (Ducheny, Morrow)

I would certainly look forward to this modification so that I could
enjoy riding California's beautiful roads. During these visits, I
would be patronizing your gas stations, restaurants, motels, hotels
and other businesses. There are hundreds of thousands of registered
motorcycles in the states that border California and the draw to spend
vacation dollars in a free state is a strong one. California
especially would draw riders from all across the United States being
the spectacular destination it is.