HomeMy WebLinkAbout87-6 - Motorcyclists to Wear Safety HelmetsRESOLUTION NO. 87 -6
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH SUPPORTING LEGISLATION
REQUIRING MOTORCYCLISTS TO WEAR SAFETY HELMETS
• WHEREAS, during 1986 alone the California Highway Patrol
statistics show that 27,344 motorcyclists were injured; 833 were
killed; and 3,766 had severe injuries; and
WHEREAS, the average hospital bill of an injured
motorcyclist 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%
of the costs incurred by injured motorcyclists; 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 motorcylist is more than 10 times
more likely to die in a crash than an automobile occupant; and
WHEREAS, we are concerned about the enormous financial
cost to taxpayers and the unmeasurable 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 taxpayers millions of
dollars annually.
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NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport
Beach does resolve as follows:
• 1. That we do hereby urge the California Legislature
to modify the existing state vehicle code to require all
California motorcyclists to wear approved safety helmets.
ADOPTED this 12th day of January, 1987.
ATTEST:
0
City Clerk
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