Helmet Truths: The Federal Connection

NHTSA uses federal tax money to lobby State and Local governments

The NHTSA currently continues to use public money to influence state and local legislatures to enact or keep mandatory helmet laws. In 1997, they spent $157,000 of federal tax money on a video presentation showing state and local governments how to fight grass roots motorcycle rights organizations. This is your tax money. And it is being used by your federal government to marginalize your efforts in becoming active in your state government.

Currently, Senator Campbell (R-CO) and Gramm (R-TX) have offered an amendment to ISTEA II (S.1173) which would prohibit NHTSA from lobbying state and local legislators on such issues as helmet laws. Similar provisions to ban NHTSA lobbying activities have been amended into two House bills which are expected to be merged with BESTEA (H.R.2400) when it reaches the House floor; H.R.860, the "Surface Transportation Research and Development Act", and H.R.2691, the "National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Reauthorization Act". These amendments have been added because of Motorcycle Rights Organizations getting involved.

If you are a motorcyclist, and are not a member of an MRO, you should join one today. New high-speed highways are being designed for "intelligent" vehicles, but NO provisions are currently made for motorcycles.

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