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 Politician Takes Aim at State's Helmet Laws](https://www.hdforums.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Don-Hahnfeldt-346.jpg)
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.
![Florida Politician Takes Aim at State's Helmet Laws](https://www.hdforums.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/HD-346.jpg)
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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