Lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it legal for some motorcyclists to ride without a helmet.
As introduced, House Bill 0042 creates a four-year pilot program, during which drivers and passengers 21 years of age or older are exempt from the requirement to wear a crash helmet while operating or riding on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and motorized bicycles, if the person is covered by health or medical insurance other than insurance through TennCare; during the pilot program, makes a violation of the helmet law a secondary offense.
AAA is strongly opposed to the proposed bill and notes that states that have loosened their helmet laws have also seen increased motorcycle deaths and injuries as a result.