Libertarian Candidates on Helmet Laws in NC

Statements on North Carolina's mandatory helmet laws for motorcyclists - from Libertarian Party candidates running for statewide offices and for General Assembly seats representing NC House and NC Senate districts in the Triangle area:

Mike Munger, Libertarian candidate for NC Governor:

I favor the immediate repeal of all motorcycle helmet laws.

These laws are an intrusion on personal choice, force a false sense of security on many riders, and represent an unjustified expense for many riders who have perfectly good helmets that are not "certified."

The choice of whether to wear a helmet, and which helmet to wear, is personal and individual. The state has no business harassing motorcycle riders this way.

Phillip Rhodes, Libertarian candidate for Lieutenant Governor:

I support the repeal of mandatory helmet laws.

Jan MacKay, Libertarian candidate for NC Senate 15:

The repeal of mandatory helmet laws is about individual liberty. It is not really about helmets. Even if you do not ride a motorcycle, you can understand it is about the right to decide. As such, it is very important.

Brian Irving, Libertarian candidate for NC Senate 17:

I call for the repeal of all helmet laws and restrictions in all forms, at all levels of government.

David Rollins, Libertarian candidate for NC Senate 20:

As a longtime motorcycle rider I wholeheartedly support the repeal of all NC restraint and helmet laws, as well as the repeal of motor vehicle safety inspections and highway speed limits.

Barbara Howe, Libertarian candidate for NC House 32:

I believe in the right of all individuals to choose how to live their lives as long as they are not harming other individuals. Helmet laws are contrary to freedom. I support the immediate repeal of mandatory helmet laws.

Susan Hogarth, Libertarian candidate for NC House 38:

I favor the immediate repeal of all motorcycle helmet laws. I am a motorcyclist myself, and choose to wear a helmet. I urge others to do so as well. But I understand the difference between persuasion and force, and recognize that persuasion makes our society stronger and allows individuals to grow in their personal responsibility, while force weakens the ability of individuals to learn to make correct choices.

from Libertarian Party candidates across North Carolina:

T.J. Rohr, Libertarian candidate for NC House 87:

I oppose all motorcycle helmet laws. Motorcycle helmet laws (and seatbelt laws), however, are symptoms of the problem of Big Government. For those who are on Medicare, Medicaid, and other similar government programs, taxpayers ultimately pay for their healthcare, regardless of how they conduct themselves. The only way the government can make these folks "behave" is by criminalizing "bad" conduct by all of us.

Even private insurance contracts are heavily regulated by the government. In a free market, an insurance company could exclude coverage if you weren't wearing a seatbelt or a helmet in the event of an accident. If you wanted such coverage, you could possibly find another company that would be willing to underwrite such behavior (presumably at a much higher premium).

Bikers USA Endorses LPNC Candidates