Panel Approves Repeal of Louisiana Helmet Law

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A House committee has approved the repeal of Louisiana's requirement that adult motorcycle riders wear helmets.

The Transportation Committee's approval moves the bill by Representative Mert Smiley, a Port Vincent Republican, to the House floor.

Smiley's bill would require bikers under age 18 to wear helmets, but not adults.

Louisiana is on of 20 states that require all motorcyclists to wear a helmet, a statute that safety activists say saves lives in accidents. Smiley and others argue that helmets can contribute to crashes, by limiting bikers' vision.

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