News story

Towson physicians held a press conference in opposition of a bill being considered by the Maryland State Legislature that will not require motorcyclists to wear helmets.

The press conference occurred on the front lawn of Memorial Hospital on Monday morning. It consisted of about 50 physicians from Towson, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Mercy Hospital, and Greater Baltimore Medical Center.

Ironically, the conference was interrupted by ambulances rushing a motorcyclist to the emergency room who was involved in a two-car accident.

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. He explained that reduction is directly related to the passage of the law.

The doctors collected nearly 400 signatures so far on the petitions and hope to have at least 500 by the time they send it to the legislature and it is considered on Wednesday.

Dr. Hector Rivera said a study from last year about health-care costs related to motorcycle riding by the by the state medical society showed that emergency room costs alone could go up more than 45 percent if the helmet law is repealed.

Nineteen-year-old Grady Smith, the motorcyclist injured in the accident, suffered a broken arm and several broken ribs. His doctor was quoted saying his injuries would have been much worse if not wearing a helmet.