Getting it right on helmet law

Gov. Jay Nixon called it a hard decision, but he got it right Thursday in vetoing a bill to largely lift Missouri’s motorcycle helmet requirement.

The obvious issue is safety, but Nixon also cited a second compelling concern. Lifting the rule would mean more traumatic injuries and greatly increase medical costs borne by taxpayers. The governor’s office pointed to the example of Florida, which lifted its rule in 2002 and its medical costs from motorcyclist traumatic head injuries doubled.

There’s no reason Missouri taxpayers should have to pick up that cost.