Lansing
Michigan helmet use falls in wake of law change
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Seventy-three percent of Michigan motorcyclists wear helmets, down from seven years ago when almost all riders used them, according to a state report released Monday.
Michigan ended mandatory universal helmet use in 2012, letting riders opt out under certain circumstances.
Helmet use varies widely among types of riders, with chopper and custom bike riders less likely to wear helmets and sport bikers more likely, according to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety. Female riders and those under 30 and over 60 also wear helmets more frequently.
Wayne State University’s Transportation Research Group conducted a visual check of motorcyclists this summer. Researchers observed 2,584 riders on 2,157 motorcycles at 176 states statewide.
The report says Michigan helmet use is down from 99.4 percent in 2006, the last year there was a comprehensive survey.
Michigan loosened its helmet law April 1, 2012. Until then, all drivers and passengers had to wear helmets. Since then, riders can go bareheaded if they are 21 or older, carry $20,000 in additional health insurance and have two years of riding experience or pass a safety test. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia still have universal helmet laws.
“While Michigan’s helmet law has been modified, riders are strongly encouraged to always wear safety gear and be seen by wearing high-visibility gear or clothing,” Michael L. Prince, director of the safety office said in a statement. The office is part of the Michigan State Police.
Seventy-nine percent of female motorcyclists wear helmets, compared with 70.6 percent of males, the report said. It said the use rate is 76.9 percent for those ages 16-29, 65.5 percent for ages 30-59 and 73.5 percent for ages 60 and older.
Nationwide, 4,612 motorcyclists were killed and about 81,000 injured in 2011, according to the latest figures available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The estimated rate of helmet use nationally was 60 percent in 2012.
The drop in helmet use in Michigan is starting to show up in accident statistics, the researchers said. There were 109 deaths in 2011 and 129 in 2012.
“As preliminary crash statistics from the 2012 riding season show significant increases in fatal and serious injuries, it appears that changes to the helmet use legislation has resulted in more severe injury outcomes,” they wrote. “Based upon these findings, continued efforts are warranted to encourage the use of both motorcycle helmets and high-visibility gear.”
Lansing
Gov. will discuss, but won’t lead gay rights move
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republican Gov. Rick Snyder says he's open to the idea of extending civil rights protections to gay people, as long as the GOP-led Michigan Legislature is ready to collaborate.
Gay rights and the Republican Party have come to the fore in recent days because of the controversy over Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema's anti-gay remarks at a party event in Berrien County.
Snyder criticized Agema's remarks as "discriminatory" and said he is willing to participate in talks to give gay people civil rights in Michigan, but won't lead the way, MLive.com reported Monday.
"I'll wait for, most likely, a signal from the Legislature to say they're open to having that discussion," Snyder said. "There is some openness likely there. I think the speaker has made some comments along those lines. I'm willing to have that dialogue, but I need a partner to have it with."
A spokesman for House Speaker House Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, said that behind-the-scenes talks are underway on expanding civil rights protections.
Ari Adler said that most sides agree on the need to do something, but they haven't decided how to proceed. Bolger is concerned about balancing respect for gay residents with respect for the religious beliefs of employers, tenants or service providers, Adler said.
"Should a devout religious person who owns a small business be forced by the government to violate their religious beliefs and hire someone or provide services to someone who is leading a lifestyle that they cannot embrace because of their religious teachings?" Adler asked in an email. "That, counter-balanced with an individual's right to personal liberty and being able to live freely and openly, is where the struggle lies.”
Speaking Dec. 5 at a Berrien County Republican Party holiday reception, Agema said he opposes gay marriage and said that Republicans who support it are wrong. He also said that gay people are pushing for free medical care "because they're dying between 38 and 44 years old" from AIDS.
Agema, a former state representative, was chosen to his Republican National Committee post at a state GOP convention.
Democrats have been pushing for his resignation. He has defended his remarks.
Detroit
Duggan: Much good will, concern in DC for Detroit
DETROIT (AP) — Mayor-elect Mike Duggan says he encountered widespread good will toward Detroit during his White House meetings with President Barack Obama and members of his administration.
Obama hosted 15 mayors-elect Friday, telling them he hopes to create partnerships with them.
"There's just such good will toward the city of Detroit, and people on the political side, but also on the business side, I found, just want to know how they can help," Duggan told WJR-AM.
Detroit is operating under a state-appointed emergency manager, entering into federal bankruptcy proceedings and facing a long-term debt estimated at $18 billion.
A major topic during the visit was City Hall's plans to deal with blight, Duggan said. Detroit has about 700,000 residents, many of them low-income, down from a peak population of 1.8 million in 1950.
"Everybody in Washington wanted to know am I really on top of this blight issue, and are going to be able to move quickly," he said. Duggan takes over Jan. 1 from Mayor Dave Bing, who didn't seek re-election at the end of his four-year term.
Another topic, he said, was who will be in charge of the city. Emergency manager Kevyn Orr now holds the purse strings, and Obama aides asked who would administer federally funded assistance programs to Detroit after that.
"There was a lot of conversation about how the transition is going to work and how they can have confidence in the administration in the long run," Duggan said.
