INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana House Roads and Transportation Committee hit the brakes on a bill that could loosen restrictions on Indiana’s helmet law for minors.
That law, which passed in 2017, requires kids riding any kind of off-road vehicle to wear a helmet. Of the Hoosiers that have been ticketed for failing to comply with the law, 100 of them had kids in car seats, according to lawmakers. Supporters of SB 281 argue the need for both a helmet and car seat for younger riders could be a bit overkill.
”What we’re trying to do is rectify that situation,” State Rep. Shane Lindauer (R, Jasper) said. “The way the bill’s written, if they’re in a car seat, the car seat is properly secured and anchored, that no helmet is required.”
Motorcycling advocacy group ABATE of Indiana testified during Tuesday’s committee meeting. ABATE’s Executive Director Jay Jackson said the group remained neutral on the bill, but expressed some concerns the bill could be difficult to comply with.
“We would just like to make sure that in repairing this unintended consequence, new unintended consequences aren’t created,” Jackson said.