Iowans are re-considering the need for a helmet law, after a recent cluster of motorcycle accidents.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the Iowa Department of Transportation, since 2007 at least one child under the age of 14, and another under the age of 24, has been killed in a motorcycle accident in the state of Iowa since 2007. Iowa, Illinois, and New Hampshire remain the only states without any helmet laws, even for the youngest residents in their states.
Now, some legislators in Iowa, including Representative Doris Kelly (D – Waterloo) are calling for a helmet law.
To that end, Kelley has introduced a bill that would prohibit children under the age of six from being allowed on motorcycles as passengers. Iowa Senator Jeff Danielson (D – Cedar Falls) also wants to enact a helmet law, required head protection for any biker under the age of eighteen.
But not everyone wants such legislation. According to the Journal, Keith Boylan, a motorcycle rider based in Des Moines, believes helmets shouldn’t be required for any rider.