While the presidential candidates face off in their third debate, another type of debate is happening here in Nebraska. The debate concerns whether or not motorcyclists should wear helmets.
Currently the law states that every motorcyclist is mandated to wear a protective helmet on the roads.
The Centers for Disease Control says since the law was enacted in 1989, 16 lives have been saved by helmets, while others say the state is losing tourism dollars.
The motorcycle helmet debate revs into high gear as some view this as freedom versus safety.
"We don't need the state telling us that they know what's better for us and that we should have to wear our helmets," said ABATE of Nebraska member Tim Pedersen.
"A helmet really does make a difference, it keeps you safer when your riding a motorcycle in the event of a collision," said Nebraska Safety Center Motorcycle Coordinator Ann Madsen.
Nebraska is the only state besides Missouri in the Midwest to mandate all motorcyclists wear helmets.
"Any type of protection that we can wear, anything that we can do to make ourselves safer," said Madsen.
"When you reach the border coming back home it's kind of bummer to put that big piece of plastic back on your head," said Pedersen.
A proposal to end the helmet law came in February of 2011 by Omaha State Senator Bob Krist, but failed to get out of the transportation committee.
