Governor Vetoes Missouri Motorcycle Helmet Repeal

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has vetoed legislation that would have relaxed a law that requires motorcyclists in Missouri to wear helmets at all times, citing concerns about highway safety and health care costs.

The veto came despite a lobbying campaign from bill supporters, some of whom said Nixon had pledged to sign the bill. But the Missouri Department of Transportation commissioned a poll seeking to persuade the Democratic governor to veto.

The legislation would have lifted Missouri’s helmet requirement for motorcycle riders 21 and older when they are not traveling on interstate highways. It also included a provision that would bar insurance companies from assigning fault for an accident to someone solely for riding a motorcycle. The insurance portion is included in other legislation that still is on Nixon’s desk.

“In terms of lives and of dollars, the cost of repealing Missouri’s helmet law simply would have been too high,” Nixon said in a written statement. “By keeping Missouri’s helmet law intact, we will save numerous lives, while also saving Missouri taxpayers millions of dollars in increased health care costs. Keeping our helmet law in place was the safe and cost-effective choice for Missouri.”

But a supporter of lifting the helmet requirement said Nixon would get the bill every year he is governor. Mark Chapman, the chairman of the Freedom of Road Riders of Missouri, said that if Missouri were truly concerned about safety, police would be allowed to pull over those not wearing seat belts and the state would require those riding horses and bikes to wear helmets and those who are obese to lose weight.

“It’s a basic freedom of choice,” Chapman said. “Even God gives me a right to choose whether I believe in him or not. Another human being should not be able to make a choice for someone else.”

Topics Auto Legislation Missouri