Helmet or No Helmet? That is the decision lawmakers in Tennessee will make for motorcycle riders...

Mar 22, 2014 at 10:55 am by bryan


AAA announced strong opposition to bills that would substantially weaken Tennessee’s motorcycle helmet law. The proposed bill would allow riders 25 years and older to ride without a helmet. Tennessee’s current law requires all motorcyclists to wear a helmet, regardless of age or experience of the rider. In November, AAA surveyed Tennessee voters and 92 percent of respondents favored keeping the state’s motorcycle helmet law in its current form. In states that repealed or weakened their universal helmet laws, helmet use declined sharply and deaths and injury rose.

“It’s clear that the majority of Tennessee voters don’t think the helmet law should change,” said Tim Wright, Tennessee Regional President of AAA - The Auto Club Group. “Multiple studies of states that have weakened their motorcycle helmet laws show marked increases in both human tragedy—to the crash victims and their family—and financial costs.”

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Important Dates:

  • Tuesday, March 25, 2014 - The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee will consider SB 548.
  • Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - The House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee will consider HB 44.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that Tennessee’s existing helmet law saves 46 lives a year and $94 million.  The CDC ranks Tennessee sixth in the nation for lives and economic costs saved due to helmet use. 

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