REVISION: Helmet provision causes concern

Towson physicians petitioned a bill that would change the current state law and mandate motorcyclists to wear helmets.

A motorcyclist interrupted the press conference when he arrived at Memorial Hospital with injuries from an accident.

The press conference occurred Monday on the front lawn of Memorial Hospital. Doctors from Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Mercy Hospital and Greater Baltimore Medical Center were present. Over 100 nurses, paramedics and other health care workers joined the audience.

About 50 local physicians unveiled a petition to Maryland legislators asking them not to pass the bill. The doctors have nearly 400 signatures and hope to have at least 500 by the time they send it to the Legislature on Monday.

The helmet mandate was approved over two decades ago and statistics have proven it was a positive step.

The number of serious head injuries caused by motorcycle accidents in Maryland is over 70 percent less now then when the helmet law was adopted 25 years ago, said Dr. Karl Sodergreen.

Motorcyclists will not be the only ones affected by a potential change in the current helmet law. Health care cost will also feel the impact of this new bill.

A study from last year on the relationship of health care costs and motorcycle riding by the State Medical Society showed that emergency room costs alone could increase more than 45 percent if the helmet law is repealed, said Dr. Hector Rivera.

The physicians plan to send their petition to the legislature on Monday, said Dr. Sodergreen. The Legislature will consider the bill next Wednesday.

The motorcyclist injured in a two-vehicle accident was 19-year-old Grady Smith of 8213 Peach Street. Smith suffered a broken arm and several broken ribs.

His injuries would have been much worse if he had not been wearing a helmet, said his doctors in the city police report.

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Proofreading:

• Walk away! I always proofread immediately after I complete a paper. This doesn't work or help. You end up reading your story the way you want it to sound instead of how it actually is read.
• Take your time. I would read my paper once, make my corrections and then read it again. I learned to take it slow and do your proofreading in steps. It's nice to take it slow and really take you time to read the story step by step.
• Study groups. You don't immediately think study groups in a writing class. But it makes sense. Getting together with your classmates to exchange your writing pieces is a great way to make your paper better. You not only get a fresh perspective but you are offering a new perspective too.