SUPERBIKE · MOTOCROSS ·
TOURING · CLASSICS · CRUISERS · SUPERMOTO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMA concerned about new threat |
|
|
|
|
Posted by Staff
|
|
Friday, 15 February 2008 |
|
AMA concerned
about new threat to motorcycle safety training funds
U.S. Transportation Secretary
Mary Peters is urging Congress to allow states to divert federal money now used
for motorcycle training and awareness to instead promote the use of motorcycle
helmets, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.
Peters sent letters to House and
Senate leaders this week asking for the change.
Ed Moreland, AMA Vice President
for Government Relations, expressed concern that diverting federal motorcycle
safety funds to promote helmet use could harm rider training courses and
motorcycle awareness programs that are already underfunded in many
states.
"Helmet use is certainly one
part of a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety," said Moreland. "But this
step is a direct raid on funds that were appropriated by Congress to address the
specific safety concerns of the motorcyclists' rights community. Furthermore,
the use of motorcycle helmets is already advocated in existing motorcycle safety
initiatives. Funding for rider-training
courses is frequently under threat in cash-strapped states, and cutting the
same-size pie into thinner slices is not the comprehensive, thoughtful, national
motorcycle safety strategy we need."
Moreland also expressed concern
that Peters' proposal could contradict sections of transportation bills passed
in 1998 and 2005 that ban the use of federal motorcycle safety funds to lobby
state legislatures in favor of mandatory helmet laws and could effectively
reverse those bans.
The AMA strongly advocates the
voluntary use of helmets by adults, along with other appropriate safety gear,
and does not oppose laws requiring helmet use by minors. But the Association
believes adults should be allowed to make their own decisions about when to wear
a helmet.
from the AMA
|
|
|
Home | News | Bike Tests | Product Reviews
Racing | Photos | Speed Shop | Forums | Stories | Links | Inside 2WF | Contact 2WF
© Copyright 2008 Double N Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
2wf.com is optimized for a resolution of 1024x768 or higher.
|
| |
|
