AAA urges helmet safety in light of proposed bill

Spokesperson says House Bill 42 could lead to more lenient motorcycle helmet laws, greater injuries, deaths

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — AAA is incredibly concerned over a legislative proposal that could “substantially weaken” the Volunteer State’s motorcycle helmet law.

Organization Spokesperson Megan Cooper says House Bill 42 has the potential to lead to greater injuries and deaths for motorcycle riders throughout Tennessee.

She and others in the organization are warning riders that regardless of where the bill ends, keep the helmet on.

Cooper says the bill would “create a four-year program” where drivers and passengers 21 and older uninsured with TennCare would be “exempt” from wearing a helmet on a motorcycle — something currently required by Tennessee state law.

“We have what’s called a universal, or all-rider helmet law,” Cooper said. “That means that regardless of your age or your skill level on your motorcycle, you do have to wear a helmet.”

Cooper says AAA ran a survey in 2021 on helmet safety, finding that 92% of Tennesseans support a universal helmet law, while just 8% don’t.

“The reasoning behind that was that they wanted the option to choose whether or not they wanted to wear a helmet,” Cooper said. “They didn’t want that mandated by law.”

Local motorcyclist Joshua Estep is part of the 92%.

Having ridden both motorcycles and sports bikes for nearly two decades, the local Cycle Shop manager says the helmet saves lives.

“It definitely would be a lot easier, a lot quicker, a lot cooler to not wear one, but it’s all about safety,” Estep said. “Working here, you get to talk to and see a lot of people who ride. The [number] of stories that I’ve heard of people coming back and saying, ‘I’ve hit the ground and the paramedics said the helmet saved my life’ is countless.”

Cooper says multiple studies have revealed increases in rider deaths and traumatic brain injuries in states that relaxed their helmet laws.

She is encouraging all Tennessee riders to keep the helmet on, regardless of the bill’s outcome.

“We really should be doing everything we possibly can to minimize those risks on our roadways and make sure they’re safe for everyone to drive on,” Cooper said. “Because of that, we really can’t afford to weaken our current helmet law.”

Cooper says the bill was supposed to be heard today by the state’s House Transportation Subcommittee, but will instead be heard Wednesday, March 8.

News 12 also reached out to the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Chattanooga Headquarters for further comment.

Although we were unable to get anything from local officers, a THP receptionist simply said, “just wear a helmet.”