Originally published July 2, 2009 at 2:47 p.m., updated July 2, 2009 at 2:47 p.m.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon has vetoed legislation that would have relaxed a Missouri's mandatory helmet law for motorcycle riders.
Nixon said Thursday that he rejected the bill because keeping the helmet requirement was the "safe and cost-effective choice for Missouri."
The legislation would have allowed people 21 and older to ride without helmets on all roads except interstate highways.
After the measure was approved by lawmakers, it became the focus of an intense lobbying campaign.
The governor's office received more than 1,000 letters and e-mails, many urging Nixon to sign the bill. The Missouri Department of Transportation commissioned a poll in an effort to persuade Nixon to veto it.
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He_who_opines_behind_anonymity says...
Thank God at least one elected official still has a brain.
July 2, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chara says...
i agree,surprised but thankfull. now need to do something with those damn scooters runing around. can't see em. don't they pose just as much of a hazzard. seems like there just as big a danger to the riders,make them follow the same rules.
July 2, 2009 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HannahBelle says...
We've been riding street and dirt bikes since 1970's and adage, "It's Not IF You Wreck Your Motorcycle, It's WHEN" is 100% true...
July 2, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
weese says...
When will stupid people be allowed to be stupid?
July 2, 2009 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
weese says...
chara, If I want to ride MY scooter and risk MY life than so be it. We aren't harming anyone.
July 2, 2009 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
10377586 says...
Scooter riders should be required to have a motorcycle endorsement and wear a helemt.
July 2, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mr_America says...
I think it should be up to the rider. I feel the same way about seatbelts. We should at least have the freedom to make poor decisions.
July 2, 2009 at 4:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
It's not about making poor decisions....those "poor decisions" cost society millions every year. Seems that not only are some people really stupid, they ALSO feel that when they MAKE such poor choices, and the laws of physics makes them pay for their poor choices, they want the insurance industry to pay them for making that choice!! If they want to ride without a helmet or without a seatbelt, they should understand their insurance won't cover them.
July 2, 2009 at 6:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Leonie says...
I totally agree with you pops! Our parked truck was totalled by an uninsured speeding drunk driver without a seatbelt. My insurance paid for my truck and he went to the hospital and public funds paid for his hospital bill. We spent days arguing for enough money to cover the cost of our truck and ended up taking a loss on our legally parked truck. Plus our insurance went up. He never spent a second in jail and no one ever filed charges-how fair is that? He was totally doing whatever he wanted, breaking law after law. I am sure he felt just like these idiot who say they are hurting no one by riding without a helmet or seatbelt, but he was wrong and so are they.
July 2, 2009 at 7:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
I hear stories like this one, and it makes me angry. Too many people living life with little or no responsibility. If you don't wanna wear a seatbelt or motorcycle helmet...fine. It leaves more oxygen for the rest of us who are still alive after your accident.
July 2, 2009 at 7:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Just don't expect us to pay for your stupidity through higher taxes or higher insurance rates.
As for scooters...I feel they, too, should have to wear helmets. I ride a bicycle back and forth to work, both for the savings in gas, as well as for the fitness it generates. I NEVER ride without a helmet. With a helmet, I might have a chance. Without it, I have a better chance of winning the Powerball!! Any of you helmetless wonders out there won the Powerball lately? You have a better chance of winning that, than you do of surviving an accident without your helmet....bikes, scooters OR motorcycles.
July 2, 2009 at 7:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JAFO says...
good call jay.
July 2, 2009 at 7:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TDubb says...
Weese, if it were only that simple...if it were only that simple...
Mr_america, if that's the way you feel - see Leonie's post above mine. it should give you some insight as to why we wear seatbelts, helmets and do not drive intoxicated.
As for Pops, I agree with you on all points except one. Scooters are under the same restrictions as bicycles. However, I'm more familiar with Japanese law as far as scooters go(I was a US MP in Japan). They treat any motorbike of any sort as a bicycle if it's under 50cc. I'd imagine there's a similar distinction for scooters here in Missouri.
July 3, 2009 at 12:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mr_America says...
I will refrain from refering to anyone as stupid or an idiot and just say that we will just have to agree to disagree. I do wear a seat belt and everyone that rides with me has to do the same but that's got more to do common sense than a law. We don't need laws to tell people with half a brain how to stay safe. The bottom line is I don't want to live in a nanny state.
July 3, 2009 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )