Repeal of the Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law: reflections on the ethical and political dynamics of public health reform
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In June of 2003 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed S. 259 which repealed the state's 35-year old motorcycle helmet safety law. Motorcycle helmets are now only required for riders who are under the age of 21 and for those wh...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2010-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/202 |
| _version_ | 1818666403871326208 |
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| author | Cherry Robert A |
| author_facet | Cherry Robert A |
| author_sort | Cherry Robert A |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In June of 2003 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed S. 259 which repealed the state's 35-year old motorcycle helmet safety law. Motorcycle helmets are now only required for riders who are under the age of 21 and for those who are 21 years or older who have had a motorcycle operator's license for less than two years, or who have not completed an approved motorcycle safety course.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Prior to the repeal, and in the years that have followed, there has been intense debate and controversy regarding Pennsylvania's decision to repeal the law that required universal and mandatory use of motorcycle helmets for all riders. Proponents of the helmet repeal have argued in favor of individual rights and freedom, whereas advocates for mandatory helmet laws have voiced concerns over public health and safety based on available data.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>This commentary will discuss the policy-making process that led to Pennsylvania's repeal of the motorcycle helmet safety law from an ethical, political, and economic perspective.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T06:03:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-df2994c3a01f4ee3ad1b5a66c08cf035 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T06:03:59Z |
| publishDate | 2010-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-df2994c3a01f4ee3ad1b5a66c08cf0352022-12-21T22:00:47ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582010-04-0110120210.1186/1471-2458-10-202Repeal of the Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law: reflections on the ethical and political dynamics of public health reformCherry Robert A<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In June of 2003 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania passed S. 259 which repealed the state's 35-year old motorcycle helmet safety law. Motorcycle helmets are now only required for riders who are under the age of 21 and for those who are 21 years or older who have had a motorcycle operator's license for less than two years, or who have not completed an approved motorcycle safety course.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Prior to the repeal, and in the years that have followed, there has been intense debate and controversy regarding Pennsylvania's decision to repeal the law that required universal and mandatory use of motorcycle helmets for all riders. Proponents of the helmet repeal have argued in favor of individual rights and freedom, whereas advocates for mandatory helmet laws have voiced concerns over public health and safety based on available data.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>This commentary will discuss the policy-making process that led to Pennsylvania's repeal of the motorcycle helmet safety law from an ethical, political, and economic perspective.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/202 |
| spellingShingle | Cherry Robert A Repeal of the Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law: reflections on the ethical and political dynamics of public health reform BMC Public Health |
| title | Repeal of the Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law: reflections on the ethical and political dynamics of public health reform |
| title_full | Repeal of the Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law: reflections on the ethical and political dynamics of public health reform |
| title_fullStr | Repeal of the Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law: reflections on the ethical and political dynamics of public health reform |
| title_full_unstemmed | Repeal of the Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law: reflections on the ethical and political dynamics of public health reform |
| title_short | Repeal of the Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law: reflections on the ethical and political dynamics of public health reform |
| title_sort | repeal of the pennsylvania motorcycle helmet law reflections on the ethical and political dynamics of public health reform |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/10/202 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cherryroberta repealofthepennsylvaniamotorcyclehelmetlawreflectionsontheethicalandpoliticaldynamicsofpublichealthreform |