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NEW MANDATORY HELMET LAW PROPOSED FOR ALL RIDERS
Last year, Representative Dan Frankel (D) from Allegheny County introduced HB 2865 with 14 co-sponsors
near the year's end in 2006. It did not go very far, mostly due to the 2006 session was nearly over. But
this is a new year, Representative Dan
Frankel has introduced House Bill 945, a bill that would mandate motorcycle helmets
for all riders in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The bill has 10 co-sponsors: Adolph, Clymer, Freeman, Josephs, Melio, O’Neill, Parker,
Rubley, Watson and Youngblood. If you enjoy the freedom of choice no matter what your belief, I HIGHLY suggest that you contact
your representative and urge them to NOT support this bill. Furthermore, spread the word to every rider you can. It's up to
us to stop this from happening. Below is a sample letter that you can send to your Representative. If you
don't know who your Representative is, click here to find out !
Helpful Hints: Letters to members of the Legislature
should be brief – rarely exceeding one page. Less than a page is ideal. The Sample(s) below are indeed that, a
sample. Keeping the message the same, but in your own words. Be respectful and non demanding. You are trying
to get them to understand why you want them to see things your way, because you will never "force" them
to change their minds by being demanding they do. Also, 100 letters in each individual's own words, with the SAME
message will have a lot MORE impact, than 1000 "cookie cutter letters" where only the senders name and address were
different. The writer’s address should be on the envelope and also on the letter. If the letter is typewritten,
be sure it is signed. Hand written letters DEFINATELY have more of an impact than a typed one. But, remember
to write your letter legibly, to avoid any confusion. There are more tips on the State Website links at the bottom of
this page.
Sample letter to your Representative
Dear Representative put their name here:
Representative Dan Frankel is introduced House Bill -945 to reinstate Pennsylvania’s
mandatory helmet law. This would require all motorcyclists to wear helmets. I urge you not to support this bill.
The answer to motorcycle safety is training and awareness, not mandatory helmet laws.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing your response.
Sincerely,
Put your name here
your Street Address
your City, State, Zip
your Phone number with area code
your Voter ID: (if known)
MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE REQUIREMENT ALERT
State Senator Connie Williams plans to offer legislation that would require
motorcyclists that choose to ride without a helmet to carry a minimum level of medical insurance. Williams is circulating
legislation for co-sponsorship that would require people who are permitted to ride without a helmet to carry and maintain
an insurance policy that provides at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred while operating or riding on
a motorcycle.
I strongly suggest that you call or write YOUR senator and ask them NOT TO COSPONSOR Senator Connie Williams legislation that would require
people who are permitted legally to ride without a helmet to carry and maintain an insurance policy that provides at least
$10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred while operating or riding your motorcycle.
Helpful Hints: Letters
to members of the Legislature should be brief – rarely exceeding one page. Less than a page is ideal. The Sample(s)
below are indeed that, a sample. Keeping the message the same, but in your own words. Be respectful and non demanding.
You are trying to get them to understand why you want them to see things your way, because you will never "force"
them to change their minds by being demanding they do. Also, 100 letters in each individual's own words, with
the SAME message may have a lot MORE impact, than 1000 "cookie cutter letters" where only the senders name and address
were different. Legislators are addressed as “The Honorable” on the envelope, and “Dear Senator”
at the beginning of the letter. It should be written on white paper and mailed in a Number 10 (business) envelope. The writer’s
address should be on the envelope and also on the letter. If the letter is typewritten, be sure it is signed. Hand written
letters may have more of an impact than a typed one. But remember to write your letter legibly, to avoid any confusion.
There are more tips on the State Website links at the bottom of this page.
Address the envelope:
The Honorable
(First name) (Last name)
Senate Box 2030xx (Last two digits of this will be the district number of the Senator’s district)
Harrisburg, PA
17120-30xx (Plus-4 is 30 and the two numbers of the Senatorial district)
Get
the zip code correct. And no one likes to have their name misspelled, so take a little time to find out how the elected legislator
spells their name.
Below are two sample letters you can use to write to your State Senator:
Sample letter #1 to your State Senator
Dear Senator put their name here:
As
a constituent in your district, I am writing to ask you not to co-sponsor Senator Connie Williams' bill that would require
motorcyclists to maintain at least $10,000 medical insurance. I strongly urge you NOT to co-sponsor this misguided bill which
claims to be a measure to control the cost of health care.
Since most motorcyclists already have medical insurance
and are just as likely to be covered as any other highway users, Senator Williams’ legislation is nothing more than
a subsidy to the insurance industry.
In addition, as taxpayers who pay our fair share, motorcyclists already contribute
to the pool that cares for ALL uninsured accident victims.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to your
response. Please let me know where you stand on this issue.
Sincerely,
Put your name
here
your Street Address
your City,
State, Zip
your Phone number with area code
your Voter
ID: (if known)
Sample letter #2 to your State Senator
Dear Senator put their name here:
It has
come to my attention that Senator Connie Williams plans on introducing legislation that would require any motorcyclist who
is legally permitted to ride without a helmet to carry and maintain an insurance policy that provides at least $10,000 in
medical benefits for injuries incurred while operating or riding a motorcycle.
As a constituent in your district,
and an active voter, I urge you neither to become a co-sponsor to this misguided legislation nor to lend any support in any
capacity.
I am strongly opposed to this attempt towards discrimination of the motorcycling community. Motorcycle riders
are just as likely as any other group of highway users to be insured. Most of us are covered through our employers or by private
coverage. In addition, as a tax payer, who already pays my fair share; motorcyclists already contribute to the pool that cares
for all uninsured accident victims.
According to the most recent report released by NHTSA, the 2005 Traffic Safety
Annual Report – Final Edition (National Center for Statistical Analysis - National Highway Transportation Safety Administration),
motorcycle crashes account for only one per cent of the overall crashes. This legislation simply is an unfair burden to the
motorcycling community, and only serves to fatten the coffers of an already bloated insurance industry.
Again, I request
that you not sign on as a co-sponsor to this legislation. If you have any questions or concerns, I can be reached at (insert your phone number or email address). Thank you in advance for your help and support in
this matter. I will be anxiously awaiting your response.
Respectfully submitted,
Put your
name here
your Street Address
your City,
State, Zip
your Phone number with area code
your
Voter ID: (if known)
Click here for A.B.A.T.E.'s position on this issue, and more information about other issues!
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DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR MEDICAL HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY CAN DISCRIMINATE AGAINST YOU AND DENY YOU BENEFITS IF
YOU ARE OPERATING A MOTORCYCLE LEGALLY AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT?
Currently in the 110th Congress legislation has been introduced in both the Senate and House Chambers to close the loophole
that allows self insured companies to discriminate against motorcyclists. This is a good thing!
All Motorcyclists are encouraged to write to their US Senators to support S 616, and to write to their US Representatives
to spport HR 1076 to close the loophole that currently allows insurance companies to discriminate against motorcycles,
when they may need health insurance the most, after an accident.
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