Sensenbrenner proposes new motorcycle safety legislation

(Photo: Jenny Munro / Flickr)(Photo: Jenny Munro / Flickr)

Representative James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-WI) has proposed legislation that would stop federal money from going to states for motorcycle helmet enforcement laws, The Hill reported.

The Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act would remove the current law in which the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) gives grants to states to help enforce helmet laws.

Sensenbrenner said the law will make motorcycle crash prevention more effective and “will stop the DOT from manipulating State policies with federal money.”

The bill is also intended to move motorcycle safety focus from helmet mandates to crash prevention.

The bill would remove language requiring motorcycle accident prevention and injury reduction, and it would replace it with a requirement that states aim to reduce accidents.

Nine House Republicans are cosponsoring the bill.