Riders group says helmet law fears were overstated

Michigan’s 2014 decline in motorcycle deaths proves fears over easing the state’s mandatory helmet law were misplaced, an advocacy group said.

“Helmets are part of the equipment, but our position has been their use should be up to the rider,” said Vince Consiglio who is president of the rider-advocacy group ABATE (American Bikers Aiming Toward Education) of Michigan.

Michigan Motorcycle Safety Month begins next week and ABATE is among the groups calling for increased safety as the annual riding season begins.

Some 107 motorcycle deaths were reported last year, according to the Michigan Traffic Crash reporting system.

Last year’s fatalities were the lowest since 2009, three years before the new helmet law was adopted.

Two fatalities were reported last year in Livingston County. One involved Hamburg Township Police Department Sgt. James Sanderson. The other involved a 26-year-old Marion Township man. A suspect has been charged in Sanderson’s death.

Over the past 10 years, motorcycle fatalities peaked at 129 in 2012.

The reporting system is provided by the Michigan State Police and can be accessed at http://www.michigantrafficcrashfacts.org.

While safety month is directed at automobile drivers as well as motorcyclists, ABATE officials say there are things riders can do on their own to boost safety.

Most important, Consiglio said, is for riders to obtain a cycle endorsement on their driver’s license.

“It’s something we strongly encourage riders to obtain,” he said.

Endorsements are added to the driver’s licenses of riders who successfully complete written and riding tests at Michigan secretary of state offices.

Under state law, endorsements are also a requirement for riders who choose not to wear helmet. Helmetless riders must also be 21 and carry at least $20,000 in medical benefits.

Though endorsements are required under Michigan law, many riders do not obtain them.

According to ABATE, nearly two in every five of last year’s fatalities involved riders without endorsements.

Contact Livingston Daily reporter Wayne Peal at 517-548-7081 or wpeal@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @wpeal.