100 signatures reached
To: Mike Dewine
Change Ohio Motorcyclist Laws
To the Honorable Members of the Ohio General Assembly:
We, the undersigned residents of the State of Ohio, respectfully petition for the enactment of legislation that requires all motorcycle operators and passengers, regardless of age or experience, to wear a Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved helmet while riding on public roadways.
Purpose
Motorcycle crashes account for a disproportionate number of traffic-related fatalities and traumatic brain injuries in Ohio. Research has consistently shown that the use of helmets:
• Reduces the risk of head injury by nearly 70%.
• Reduces the risk of death by nearly 40%.
• Decreases the financial burden on public health resources, emergency responders, and taxpayers.
Proposed Legislative Language
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:
1. Helmet Requirement:
• All persons operating or riding upon a motorcycle on any public roadway in Ohio shall wear a protective helmet that meets or exceeds standards set forth by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT).
2. Applicability:
• This requirement shall apply to operators and passengers of all ages, without exception.
3. Enforcement and Penalties:
• A violation of this section shall be classified as a minor misdemeanor, subject to a fine not exceeding $150 for a first offense.
• Repeat violations may result in increased penalties as determined by the legislature.
4. Public Safety Campaign:
• The Ohio Department of Public Safety shall implement an awareness campaign to educate the public on the benefits of helmet use.
Conclusion
This measure is not about restricting personal freedom but about protecting lives, reducing preventable injuries, and easing the burden on Ohio’s emergency and medical systems. By requiring helmet use for all motorcyclists, Ohio can save lives, protect families, and ensure safer roads for all.
We, the undersigned, urge the Ohio General Assembly to pass this legislation without delay.
We, the undersigned residents of the State of Ohio, respectfully petition for the enactment of legislation that requires all motorcycle operators and passengers, regardless of age or experience, to wear a Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved helmet while riding on public roadways.
Purpose
Motorcycle crashes account for a disproportionate number of traffic-related fatalities and traumatic brain injuries in Ohio. Research has consistently shown that the use of helmets:
• Reduces the risk of head injury by nearly 70%.
• Reduces the risk of death by nearly 40%.
• Decreases the financial burden on public health resources, emergency responders, and taxpayers.
Proposed Legislative Language
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:
1. Helmet Requirement:
• All persons operating or riding upon a motorcycle on any public roadway in Ohio shall wear a protective helmet that meets or exceeds standards set forth by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT).
2. Applicability:
• This requirement shall apply to operators and passengers of all ages, without exception.
3. Enforcement and Penalties:
• A violation of this section shall be classified as a minor misdemeanor, subject to a fine not exceeding $150 for a first offense.
• Repeat violations may result in increased penalties as determined by the legislature.
4. Public Safety Campaign:
• The Ohio Department of Public Safety shall implement an awareness campaign to educate the public on the benefits of helmet use.
Conclusion
This measure is not about restricting personal freedom but about protecting lives, reducing preventable injuries, and easing the burden on Ohio’s emergency and medical systems. By requiring helmet use for all motorcyclists, Ohio can save lives, protect families, and ensure safer roads for all.
We, the undersigned, urge the Ohio General Assembly to pass this legislation without delay.
Why is this important?
Motorcycle helmet laws are not just about rules—they are about saving lives.
A helmet is the seatbelt of the road. It’s the difference between walking away from an accident or never walking again. The reality is simple: a crash can happen in seconds, even to the most careful rider. And when it does, the human skull is no match for pavement, metal, or speed.
Studies show that helmets cut the risk of death by more than a third, and reduce the chance of a serious brain injury by nearly 70%. That’s not opinion—that’s fact.
Without a helmet, families lose parents, children, and loved ones to tragedies that could have been prevented. Survivors often face lifelong disabilities, changing not only their lives but the lives of everyone who cares for them. And the costs don’t stop at the hospital doors—our entire community shoulders the financial burden through higher insurance rates, taxpayer-funded care, and emergency response.
If we require seatbelts in cars, why should motorcycles be any different? Both laws exist for the same reason: to protect people from preventable harm.
Motorcycle helmet laws save lives. They protect families. They save money. And most importantly, they turn what could be a funeral into another chance at life.