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douglas9

(4,474 posts)
Wed Oct 26, 2022, 07:55 AM Oct 2022

Attorney who fought Florida helmet laws died in motorcycle crash while not wearing one

In the late 1990s, when Florida bikers were still required to wear helmets, Pinellas lawyer Ron Smith was an aggressive advocate for overturning the law.

Smith was a member of ABATE — A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments and American Bikers Aimed Toward Education — which lobbied against the law for years. He represented clients who ran afoul of Florida’s motorcycle requirements in court cases that some say helped overturn Florida’s helmet law.

One of the cases went all the way to the 2nd District Court of Appeal, which ruled that Florida’s helmet law at the time was constitutional, but that the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles had failed to properly publish a list of protective equipment as required by law.

Smith didn’t like being told what to do and valued his independence, said Dave Newman, who met the attorney through an American Legion post in Old Town where they were both members.

“He thought everybody should have their own choice,” Newman said.

In 2000, Smith’s aspiration was realized when the Florida Legislature passed a law allowing motorcyclists over 21 to go without head protection as long as they had $10,000 in insurance coverage for motorcycle accident injuries.


https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2022/10/25/attorney-who-fought-florida-helmet-laws-died-motorcycle-crash-while-not-wearing-one/





15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Attorney who fought Florida helmet laws died in motorcycle crash while not wearing one (Original Post) douglas9 Oct 2022 OP
That's what he wanted. BlueTsunami2018 Oct 2022 #1
got exactly llashram Oct 2022 #2
But.... Turbineguy Oct 2022 #7
no doubt llashram Oct 2022 #15
Glad he didn't linger so we didn't have to pay his medical bills MaryMagdaline Oct 2022 #3
Shades of Gary Busey Zambero Oct 2022 #4
Karma kicks dogma ass randr Oct 2022 #5
Yup, karma will bite you in the ass.. Also that gene pool of stupid just ended there...nt mitch96 Oct 2022 #10
No chance of brain damage RainCaster Oct 2022 #6
He got what he wanted. SheltieLover Oct 2022 #8
When I see a motorcycle rider without a helment, I think there is an organ donor LetMyPeopleVote Oct 2022 #9
In the ER I worked at the nurses called them "donor-cycles"... Stupid is as stupid does... mitch96 Oct 2022 #11
That is a good term to know-donor cycles LetMyPeopleVote Oct 2022 #13
Being in hot hot Florida we would get these kids riding with a helmet, tanktop, shorts and mitch96 Oct 2022 #14
GO Organ donors.. That is what I think every time I see them. LiberalArkie Oct 2022 #12

Zambero

(9,764 posts)
4. Shades of Gary Busey
Wed Oct 26, 2022, 08:21 AM
Oct 2022

Busey's anti-helmet campaign did not end well. He survived a motorcycle accident with severe head injuries, after which he expressed regret for his earlier stance.

mitch96

(14,658 posts)
11. In the ER I worked at the nurses called them "donor-cycles"... Stupid is as stupid does...
Wed Oct 26, 2022, 09:34 AM
Oct 2022

I've rode motorcycles for thousands of miles and over 50 years.. A few get offs and one broken tibia/ankle in my youth..
There is a term.. AGATT..
All the Gear All The Time.. At least wear your brain bucket.. uff
Karma..
m

mitch96

(14,658 posts)
14. Being in hot hot Florida we would get these kids riding with a helmet, tanktop, shorts and
Wed Oct 26, 2022, 02:54 PM
Oct 2022

flipflops... Early stage testosterone and a fast motorbike is a deadly combination...
Good for the recipient of the organs though...
m

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