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Emailbag ? U.S. DOT corrects AMA |
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| Written by CMG Staff on Monday, 17 March 2008 |
Letter to the Editor from Brian Turmail in Response to March 13 article, "Peters Principle: helmets over training ," by CMG staff
Mr. Rob Harris
Editor and Publisher
CMG Online
42023 Succ. Jeanne Mance,
Montreal, Quebec, H2W 2T3
Monday, March 17, 2008
To the Editor:
The AMA seems to be confused about U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters’ position on federally-supported motorcycle safety training efforts and state helmet laws.
As an avid Harley rider, the Secretary has been a high-profile advocate for rider training and education, and has in fact taken several training courses herself. In February, she sent proposed legislation to Congress that would give states greater flexibility in using their federal motorcycle safety grants for both helmet education as well as training programs.
This is a far cry from pushing for helmet laws. As a former state transportation official herself, the Secretary believes helmet laws are a state decision. She also believes helmets save lives, and that as the head of the agency charged with transportation safety, the federal responsibility is to provide the research and data on helmet use to states so they can decide what their helmet laws should be.
Sincerely,
Brian Turmail
Assistant to the Secretary and
Director of Public Affairs
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
DOT 1, AMA 0.
How come I have this ominous feeling that I won't be able to get into the U.S. again ...
Editor 'arris
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