Latest Effort to End Tennessee Helmet Law Fails

Motorcyclists will have to wait another year to renew their efforts to do away with Tennessee’s helmet law.

Republican Rep. Judd Matheny of Tullahoma on Tuesday told the House Transportation Subcommittee that he’s withdrawing his bill seeking to end helmet requirements for adult riders.

Supporters question the safety benefits of helmets and argued that ending the law would boost motorcycle tourism to Tennessee.

But a legislative analysis of the measure projects that changing the law would lead to an increase in traumatic brain injuries, carrying a $1.1 million price tag for TennCare.

The state’s expanded Medicaid system spent $3.1 million to treat motorcycle accidents in the most recent budget year, including $1.8 million on brain injuries.