The bill the helmet provision is attached to would permanently prohibit insurance companies from assigning fault to someone in an accident based only on the fact that the person was riding a motorcycle, while the added helmet exemption would expire in five years.

A Missouri newspaper the Belleville News- Democrat reported, ‘A study completed by researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville found motorcycle death rates increased by an average of 12.2 percent in states that repealed universal helmet requirements. The study analyzed the effect of helmet law changes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia from 1975 through 2004.’

With all the controversies over previous proposals to amend Missouri's motorcycle helmet laws, it was noticeable how little debate the successful legislation received this year, from either chamber.

However, according to the Kansas City.com, opponents to the legislation feel it couldn't have come at the worst time as Missouri registers a record 107 motorcycle fatalities last year. State officials have developed a plan to turn back the surge, but they say repeal of the helmet law would put the initiative in jeopardy.

“The bill is just anti-safety. It’s a huge step backward,” Leanna Depue, director of highway safety for the Missouri Department of Transportation told the paper. Reportedly state officials have developed a plan to turn back the surge, but they say repeal of the helmet law would put the initiative in jeopardy.

“How could someone morally and ethically vote for a bill when you know people are going to die and head injuries are going to increase? How do you justify that?” she asked. 

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