In recent years, the annual number of deaths in motorcycle accidents has increased at an alarming rate. As a first step to reduce fatalities in motorcycle accidents, the Department of Transportation has conducted a set of scientific studies to determine possible ways to improve the effectiveness of helmets. Through rigorous testing methods not employed in the testing of helmets prior to 2002, the department has made a startling discovery: the most effective type of helmets available today is leather flyer's caps, affectionately also known as "snoopy caps." The estimate of their effectiveness to reduce the number of deaths and severity of injuries among motorcycle accident victims is at least 80% higher than those of other types of currently available helmets.

NOW, THEREFORE, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. New Federal Helmet Law. Effective October 1, 2002, no person in the United States of America shall ride a motorcycle, either as an operator or as a passenger without wearing a leather flyer's cap. Moreover, covering up of the leather flyer's cap with any other object during a ride shall be a violation of this law.

Sec. 2. Specifics and Penalties. The Department of Justice shall disclose the specifics of this new federal helmet law by September 16, 2002 and applicable penalties for violation by September 30, 2002. The minimum punishment for riding a motorcycle without the use of leather flyer's cap shall be revocation of operator's license and imprisonment for the minimum of three months.

Sec. 3. New DOT Standard. The Department of Transportation shall issue a new standard for leather flyer's cap by September 2, 2002. The new standard shall be designated "DOT LFC-1." All leather flyer's caps used by motorcyclists must meet this standard beginning October 1, 2002.

WHITE HOUSE,
August 28, 2002