Helmet Laws

Doctors strongly oppose the Maryland State Legislature consideration to change motorcyclist helmet laws.

 

Many physicians in Towson are opposed to the bill. About fifty of them held a press conference Monday morning on the front lawn of Memorial Hospital. An audience of over one hundred nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare workers was present. The doctors unveiled a petition to legislators asking them not to pass the bill. Doctors from Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Mercy Hospital and Greater Baltimore Medical Center were present at the press conference.

 

The doctors have gotten nearly four hundred signatures so far on the petition and hope to have at least five hundred by the time they send it to the legislature.

 

The number of serious head injuries caused by motorcycle accidents in Maryland is over 70% less now then when the helmet law was adopted 25 years ago, said Dr. Karl Sodergreen. He said that reduction is directly related to passage of the law.

 

Dr. Hector Rivera said a study from last year about health-care costs related to motorcycle riding by the state medical society showed that emergency room costs alone could go up by more than 45 percent if the helmet law is repealed.

 

Dr. Sodergreen said the physicians plan to send their petition to the legislature on Monday. The bill is to be considered by the legislature next Wednesday.

 

Ironically, there was a motorcyclist accident during the press conference. The driver of the vehicle was not wearing his helmet, and the aftermath was available for all to see. This executed the perfect example of why so many medical professionals are against this bill change.