Florida Politician Takes Aim at State’s Helmet Laws

Sumter County Commissioner Rep. Don Hahnfeldt Files New Bill to Require Sunshine State Motorcyclists to Cover their Cabezas

If you’re a Florida Harley rider or motorcycle owner, you know how great it is to feel the sunshine and ocean breeze on your face when you’re cruising the open road.

However, that may soon change.

Florida blogger Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster recently broke the news that the state’s motorcycle helmet laws will get a lot more strict if Rep. Don Hahnfeldt (pictured right) has his way.

On Dec. 19, the Sumter County Commissioner officially filed a bill that if passed would require bikers to wear safety helmets when riding. The proposed helmet law affects both motorcycle and moped riders in the Sunshine State.

Riders who thumb their noses at the proposed law, however, won’t be in too much hot water. Helmet-law-breakers will face a fate no more serious than getting a ticket for a non-moving traffic violation.

Earlier this month, Hahnfeldt won the uncontested 33rd District State House race in Florida. So, it may seem like he’s being a bit too swift in trying to mess with helmet laws. It’s not like the country’s various helmet laws aren’t already a hot topic with loyal motorcycle riders.

His attempt to overturn Florida’s helmet laws, however, comes at a curious time. It surfaced just months after Florida Today listed stats about motorcycle deaths within the past three years within multiple Florida counties, including Brevard, Seminole, Volusia, Lake, Orange and Osceola.

In 2015, out of 62 fatalities, 31 of the motorcycle riders/passengers were wearing a helmet. Out of 50 deaths the previous year, 23 wore helmets.

There were 57 motorcycle-related deaths in 2013, including 32 with a helmet.

Upon considerstion of these statistics, however, the numbers really don’ t support a debate on the topic because the results seem virtually drawn down the middle.

Although his haste is unclear, Hahnfeldt is hoping for the law to take effect on July 1, 2017.

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David Ciminelli

Los Angeles-based journalist David Ciminelli has covered everything from high-profile Lexus and Toyota reveals to reality TV show competitions focusing on custom automotive mods. He considers the "Droptops & Dirt" event in Malibu, “Luftgekühlt” and Sunset GT among his favorite automotive events to cover.

He has also interviewed artists like Megadeth and Jennifer Lopez, handled red carpet interviews at the MTV VMAs, and covered rock icons Rush getting a star on Hollywood Boulevard for media including The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, Out Magazine, IN Los Angeles and more. His byline has also appeared in Billboard, Ad Week, Backstage and Art Voice.

Currently, David contributes to over a dozen automotive websites, including Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Club Lexus, Rennlist, Chevrolet Forum, Corvette Forum, Team Speed and Harley-Davidson Forums.