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Why Rise in Motorcycle Deaths Hasn't Meant Tougher Helmet Laws

Bytemi said:
After the conversation earlier this week about helmets, I found this to be very interesting. Please try to keep the discussion friendly, I don't want to regret sharing this article.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/jan-june12/motorcycles_06-19.html
Click to expand...

Interesting piece...the numbers are very clear. It was the same with seatbelts and child seats. Like I've said repeatedly...don't wear a helmet and pay more insurance. Can't argue with the facts that helmets save lifes, productivity, etc... It's always a 'choice' issue...so be it...keep it a 'choice' issue and do not make it a monetary issue. If you choose to ride blindfolded, go ahead and do that too...just pay your own bills. Enough is enough and this is another example of people being responsible for their actions. The burden is too great...
 
I dont have kids, can I not pay for taxes for schools? Cause I pay for that currently and I dont like it.

Oh and for the record, I made sure I had the insurance I had to have to ride in the states with no helmet but X insurance is required.

When I called my insurance and told them this, my insurance per month went up. SO I DO PAY MORE. So there ya go, happy?
 
Bytemi said:
After the conversation earlier this week about helmets, I found this to be very interesting. Please try to keep the discussion friendly, I don't want to regret sharing this article.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/jan-june12/motorcycles_06-19.html
Click to expand...

You live in a country where people feel very strongly about their rights to make their own decisions. However, with the medical and social costs that the article states, it is surprising that at a time when governments and companies are in a financial bind that legislation is not put forth for anything that will reduce costs due to accidents.

I would be interested to see a study on who prefers to not where a helmet while riding a motorcycle and seatbelt useage in vehicles. I would think that if one does not wear a helmet, then that same person would not be inclined to wear a seatbelt.
 
spydee owner said:
You live in a country where people feel very strongly about their rights to make their own decisions. However, with the medical and social costs that the article states, it is surprising that at a time when governments and companies are in a financial bind that legislation is not put forth for anything that will reduce costs due to accidents.

I would be interested to see a study on who prefers to not where a helmet while riding a motorcycle and seatbelt useage in vehicles. I would think that if one does not wear a helmet, then that same person would not be inclined to wear a seatbelt.
Click to expand...


There are states where you are not required to wear a seatbelt, their state moto is "live free or die".
 
bone crusher said:
Interesting piece...the numbers are very clear. It was the same with seatbelts and child seats. Like I've said repeatedly...don't wear a helmet and pay more insurance. Can't argue with the facts that helmets save lifes, productivity, etc... It's always a 'choice' issue...so be it...keep it a 'choice' issue and do not make it a monetary issue. If you choose to ride blindfolded, go ahead and do that too...just pay your own bills. Enough is enough and this is another example of people being responsible for their actions. The burden is too great...
Click to expand...

It does come down to choice and the fact that for many people old habits die hard and many struggle with change, especially change that they feel is forced upon them.:D
 
Bytemi said:
Seriously not my intention. I really found it interesting and wanted to share. Should I just delete the discussion now?
Click to expand...
I would not delete it. That would just be a sign to those who cannot debate the issue that they have won.
 
zrc said:
There are states where you are not required to wear a seatbelt, their state moto is "live free or die".
Click to expand...
We have no seat belt law no helmet law and aren't required to have insurance to drive a motor vehicle on the road either
 
spyder3 said:
Here we go again.....:bdh:
Click to expand...

When you and OTHERS hit the dead horse, If you really want the Tread to end' Don't post anymore on those Threads and if everyone did that ' The Thread will fade away. I get a kick how after some hit the horse they continue to post and keep the Thread going.:dontknow:
Me thinks they don't want it to end. nojoke
 
Facts are Facts

Motorcycles are more dangerous than autos because they don't provide the same level of protection. Helmets save lives, not doubt, but there are other factors. Much of the increase in motorcycle riding has come from individuals age 50 and up. Many of these persons were riders when young, stopped to raise a family etc., and now take it up again. Persons in this demographic make up a larger than proportional number of accidents. We all lose skill and reaction time with age and don't always recognize it in ourselves. It seems to me that more training should be involved in obtaining a motorcycle endorsement. At least a full day of classroom with videos and examples to teach the fundamentals. At least two full days of riding on the machine the individual will be using after certification. A very restrictive temporary license while skills are honed. A REAL driving test with the candidate riding their machine, just as with an automobile, accompanied by the DOT etc. administering the test on their bike. This serves the purpose of observing the individual in real life situations and assures that the person administering the test is motorcycle savvy themselves. The cost should be born by the rider just as many jurisdictions have turned to paid driver education for young persons. Helmets are like seat belts, they save lives. Personal freedom arguments are as silly as the argument that obnoxious noises from motorcycles are somehow a safey feature. Two final comments. I am 69 and just returned to riding a year ago and it took a good 5000 miles for me to really feel in full control of my machine. Second, the driving test to obtain my license was a complete joke. I took the test on my Spyder and the test was mostly for two wheel machines. A large portion of the "test" was how slow I could go without putting my feet on the pavement. I asked the person administering the test if he wanted to be there all day becuase the Spyder never required a foot down. Another part of the "test" was weavilng between cones, again no test for a three wheel machine. My opinion is that helmets, good instruction, and good tests will reduce accidents and injury. Full protective gear is not on the table, just helmets as are seatbelts for autos.
 
boborgera said:
When you and OTHERS hit the dead horse, If you really want the Tread to end' Don't post anymore on those Threads and if everyone did that ' The Thread will fade away. I get a kick how after some hit the horse they continue to post and keep the Thread going.:dontknow:
Me thinks they don't want it to end. nojoke
Click to expand...

Bob,
Just think of it as "Electronic Aerobic excercise!" :roflblack:
 
Helmet vs seatbelt

spydee owner said:
You live in a country where people feel very strongly about their rights to make their own decisions. However, with the medical and social costs that the article states, it is surprising that at a time when governments and companies are in a financial bind that legislation is not put forth for anything that will reduce costs due to accidents.

I would be interested to see a study on who prefers to not where a helmet while riding a motorcycle and seatbelt useage in vehicles. I would think that if one does not wear a helmet, then that same person would not be inclined to wear a seatbelt.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I couldn't disagree more with your last statement. I rode my Spyder for 4 years in Arizona where it gets darned hot and wearing a helmet can make it that much more uncomfortable. I do wear a helmet on major highways, but running local errands or taking a ride on the desert backroads where there's very little traffic is another story. Sure, it's still a risk, but a much lower risk....especially since I'm on 3 wheels. So ok, I'm one of the "lunatics" that likes to be comfortable, but I NEVER drive my car without having my seatbelt fastened. Why? Because it's NOT a big deal. It's NOT uncomfortable or inconvenient. I definitely agree seatbelts should be worn at ALL times. But depending on what you're riding, and where, I think the decision on whether or not to wear a helmet is totally different! And my money says that most other folks who don't always wear helmets DO still wear seatbelts. Choosing not to wear a helmet doesn't necessarily make one totally irresponsible.

By the way, I heard the other day that since helmet laws have been eased, a lot more people are receiving organs from donors.:yikes: I guess every cloud has a silver lining! ;)
 
AZ Desert Spyder said:
Sorry, but I couldn't disagree more with your last statement. I rode my Spyder for 4 years in Arizona where it gets darned hot and wearing a helmet can make it that much more uncomfortable. I do wear a helmet on major highways, but running local errands or taking a ride on the desert backroads where there's very little traffic is another story. Sure, it's still a risk, but a much lower risk....especially since I'm on 3 wheels. So ok, I'm one of the "lunatics" that likes to be comfortable, but I NEVER drive my car without having my seatbelt fastened. Why? Because it's NOT a big deal. It's NOT uncomfortable or inconvenient. I definitely agree seatbelts should be worn at ALL times. But depending on what you're riding, and where, I think the decision on whether or not to wear a helmet is totally different! And my money says that most other folks who don't always wear helmets DO still wear seatbelts. Choosing not to wear a helmet doesn't necessarily make one totally irresponsible.

By the way, I heard the other day that since helmet laws have been eased, a lot more people are receiving organs from donors.:yikes: I guess every cloud has a silver lining! ;)
Click to expand...

You make some good points... especially about organ donation. Guess that's why some nurses refer to motorcycles as donorcycles!:D
 
Without Further Comment

Bytemi said:
After the conversation earlier this week about helmets, I found this to be very interesting. Please try to keep the discussion friendly, I don't want to regret sharing this article.
Click to expand...

This was also commented on in another thread. VIDEO HERE
 
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