California IN BRIEF : SANTA ANA : Judge Rejects Bid to Block Helmet Law

A state appeals court rejected a last-ditch effort to prevent a mandatory motorcycle helmet law from going into effect today s throughout California. Without comment, the 4th District Court of Appeal denied an emergency application for a temporary stay of the law. Last Friday, Orange County Superior Court Judge James Alfano denied a request for a temporary restraining order against legislation requiring all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. Alfano agreed to hear arguments in the matter Feb. 26. The plaintiffs charge that the law violates their constitutional rights, and they dispute assertions that helmets will help save lives and prevent injuries. The California Highway Patrol initially planned to allow a 90-day grace period in which violators would receive warnings. But a change of mind means the agency will ticket helmetless riders effective today.