Utah Lawmaker Wants Required Helmet Law

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah lawmaker who says he doesn't want to "subsidize stupidity" says he'll be pushing to make motorcycle helmets mandatory.

Republican Sen. Todd Weiler of Woods Cross plans to propose the law when the Legislature convenes next month. He tells The Salt Lake Tribune (http://bit.ly/VAWmJi) too many motorcycle riders who survive a crash end up needing government assistance. Utah law only requires riders under 18 to wear a helmet.

Past efforts to expand the law have failed. Steve Thompson of the Utah chapter of American Bikers Aiming Toward Education says his group will oppose the measure, saying bikers should have the "right to decide" whether to wear a helmet. Officials estimate 60 percent of the people killed in Utah motorcycle wrecks in the past 10 years weren't wearing a helmet.