HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 011-87 SafetyHelmetMotorcyRESOLUTION NO. 11 - 87
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
SUPPORTING AB 36 WHICH REQUIRES ALL MOTORCYCLE
MOTORIZED BICYCLE RIDERS TO WEAR A SAFETY HELMET
WHEREAS, in 1984 alone, the California Highway Patrol statistics show that
27,344 motocyclists were injured, and of these 833 were killed and 3,766 had severe
injuries; and
WHEREAS, the average hospital bill of an injured mtorcyclist is
conservatively estimated at more than $17,000 per individual, and "indirect costs" such
as lost wages and physical rehabilitation usually are double the direct costs; and
WHEREAS, California taxpayers are paying more than 80 percent of the costs
incurred by injured motorcyclists; and
WHEREAS, motocyclist injuries cost the taxpayers more than $64 million a year
for hospital bills alone, based on the number of injuries in 1984; and
WHEREAS, in California motorcyclists account for only 3% of all passenger-
carrying vehicles, but are involved in 12% of crashes causing injury; and
WHEREAS, per mile, a motocyclist is more than 10 times more likely to die in a
crash than an automobile occupant; and
WHEREAS, unhelmeted riders have more than 2.5 times as many critical or fatal
head injuries as riders who wear helmets; and
WHEREAS, the statistics noted have been taken from medical journals and
governmental agency reports; and
WHEREAS, we are concerned about the enormous financial cost to taxpayers and
the unneasurable emotional cost to victims in loss of human lives and suffering caused
by motorcycle crashes; and
WHEREAS, a mandatory helmet law in California would reduce motorcycle rider
deaths and save the taxpayer millions of dollars annually;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dublin City Council hereby urges the
California legislature to pass AB 36 which will modify the existing state vehicle code
and require all California motorcyclists to wear approved safety helmets.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 9th day of February, 1987.
AYES: Councilmembers Hegarty,
and Mayor Jeffery
NOES: None
Moffatt, Snyder,
Vonheeder
ABSENT: None
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