A change in Florida's helmet law?

---

The amount of fatal motorcycle accidents has gone up since the helmet law was repealed.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Six years after Florida repealed its mandatory motorcycle helmet law, one state lawmaker is calling for a complete review of the issue.

State Senator Jim Sebesta is pointing to the dramatic increase in the number of motorcycle fatalities in Florida since the state repealed its mandatory helmet law in calling for the review.

Florida recorded an 81 percent increase in motorcycle deaths in the three years after state lawmakers repealed the helmet law in 2000.

Viewer Center
	Click here for a poll about the issue.

More than 900 bikers were killed on Florida roads during that time.

Now, state highway safety officials are proposing legislation that would require all new motorcyclists to take safety courses. Right now, only bikers under the age of 21 must take the course.

Sebesta says allowing motorcycle drivers to ride without helmets is a bad idea because taxpayers often end up paying the medical bills of injured bikers who don't have enough health coverage.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All right reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

More State Stories

• Lawmakers: faltering economy a blessing in disguise
• Floridians to reduce holiday shopping (ipoll)
• School officials eye tax hikes for cigarettes, liquor
• Florida's theme parks feeling the economic pinch
• Economic challenges may force new taxes
• Film company offers to aid in Caylee search
• Florida pension fund loses a third of its value
• 8.9 percent workers comp rate increase sought
• Coolest place in Florida returns to Gaylord Palms

• Spectacular displays of holiday lights
• Tell us about holiday displays
• Hours your favorite shopping mall is open

Holiday events galore!
Come back soon to get the latest on parades, concerts and more.

• Maps and directions
• Airport Information
• Traffic Cameras

• Submit an Event
• Community Events
• Sporting Events
• Entertainment Events
• Spanish Events

Bay News 9 on Demand is free and exclusively available on Bright House Networks digital cable, Channel 342. Here's what's new:

• NEW interactive program guide
• Hogan 911 crash tape released - hear all of it!
• Watch skydivers break world record on camera
• Complete coverage: CNN YouTube Debate (Politics)
• 2007 Severe Weather Special - Learn about everything from hurricanes to lightning

Select the size text you want to use to view www.baynews9.com from the choices below.

• Breaking News Alerts
• Live Audio Stream
• RSS News Feed

Become An Asterisk Hunter!

At Bright House Networks, we prefer to keep things simple.

So the next time you're looking for TV, home phone and Internet service with a 30-day, money-back guarantee, but without the fine print surprises, call

1-866-976-EASY.

Learn more at AsteriskHunters.com.