Dear Senator__________,

As a registered voter from your district, I am writing to urge you to support the “Freedom of Choice” bill, SB1511. This piece of legislation, a helmet law modification bill, "Exempts from helmet requirements motorcycle drivers who are 21 years old or older”.

In the past few years several states including Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas and Florida, have passed similar modification bills. Both motorcycle registrations and motorcycle tourism have increased in these states. Additionally, I'd like to point out the results of two studies. First, motorcyclists are no more dependent upon public sources for medical costs than any other motor vehicle operators.  (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report to Congress, the CODES study, 1995) Second, helmet use is not associated with overall injury severity, discharge status, or insurance status.  (University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, June 1992).

I also urge you to support SB0794 which will substantially increase penalties for motorists who violate the right of way of another motorist, motorcyclist, pedestrian or bicyclist.

CMT/ABATE opposes SB0101 which would prohibit children under 12 on motorcycles. There is no statistical need for this legislation and CMT/ABATE supports the rights of responsible parents to make decisions regarding their children.

If you need any more information, have any questions, or would like to become a sponsor of either of these bills please call Legislative Director Mike Hays at 615 469-2567 or the CMT/ABATE (Concerned Motorcyclist of Tennessee/American Bikers Active Towards Education) office at 615-683-6608. We need your support, sponsorship and affirmation of our valued personal freedoms in this great country.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely________________________________

Name ______________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________

City: _______________________________ Phone: __________________________