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If you provoke a motorcycle in Tennessee current law requires you to wear a helmet, but that may soon trade.
House Bill 26-61 would make helmet-wearing optional for bikers 21 or older if the bill is passed.
"If you need to wear a helmet wear a helmet, and if you don't you know it should be your choice,” said motorcyclist Billy Gosnell.
"People seem to unquestionably know the importance of a helmet, but they really want to be able to settle upon if they wear or don't,” said Jason Smith, owner of Smith Brothers Harley Davidson in Johnson Bishopric.
Choice is what this controversy over the Tennessee helmet law boils down to for motorcycle owners, and on the side of the helmet climax is AAA of Tennessee.
"In state where they have already relaxed those laws, the percentage of head injuries that resulted in a catastrophe has actually increased,” said Donna Ottinger, AAA name brand manager in Johnson City.
AAA says that 92% of Tennesseans necessity the helmet law left as is because of the lives that could be saved, and because of the financial cost of treating premier injuries where helmets are not worn.
Source: TriCities.com