Accidents Bring New Calls for Helmet Law in Iowa

A recent spate of motorcycle accidents have prompted renewed calls for an Iowa helmet law.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported Iowa, Illinois and New Hampshire are the only states without helmet laws, even to protect their youngest residents. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, at least one child under 14, and another 17 under the age of 24, have died in motorcycle crashes in the state since 2007.

Now some Iowa legislators, including Waterloo Democrat Rep. Doris Kelley, are pushing for a helmet law.

Kelley introduced a bill prohibiting children under six from being allowed to ride on motorcycles. Cedar Falls Democratic Sen. Jeff Danielson wants to prohibit anyone under 18 from riding without a helmet.

Motorcycle riders such as Keith Boylan of Des Moines say helmets should not be required for any rider.