Motorcylce helmet laws

PersonaNonGrata · #1 07-05-2011, 03:26 AM

I'm as much about freedom of choice as the next American but sometimes, just sometimes, laws are indeed there to protect us. This poor guy was participating in a protest over mandatory helmet laws for motorcyclists when he fell, hit his head, and died.

It's sad. It's ironic. It's a lesson. I only ever rode my motorcycle once without a helmet and that was for a pretty short distance. It felt kind of freeing but more scary than anything. It's just not worth taking the chance.

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JCL · #2 07-05-2011, 03:52 AM

I never rode any of my motorcycles without an approved helmet. I wear a bicycle helmet all the time too though, and put my seatbelt on every time. It just seems silly to me to fight a principle of freedom over something that doesn't feel like an infringement.

So the poor guy in the story is dead, but presumably more free. I hope it was worth it, it just seems like a tragedy.

Weasel · #3 07-05-2011, 08:05 AM

Unfortunately when it comes to the younger crowd on crotchrockets (you know the ones, stunt riding through the city traffic etc.) all too often all the helmet did was allow for an open casket...

Once down here we had a mayor who was a Harley guy, he put in place/changed the helmet laws to where if you were over a certain age and had a certain level/amount of insurance the helmet became optional. I can better agree with that logic than letting the 18-24 crowd with the cheapest insurance possible and biggest chip on their shoulders go without. Nevertheless the next mayor promptly changed it back to mandatory helmet laws again.

Jordo · #4 07-05-2011, 08:31 AM

I don't know where to start on this subject. In my amature-professional motocross racing career I've have 6 (registered) Concussions. Granted I was partaking in racing, which is more risky then street riding. But the fact is, even as we fly 25 feet up and up to 100 feet out, we are really only going a MAXIMUM of 65. But I would say an average of only 45 mph..... and let's not for get, we are on much more forgiving surface... dirt.

My doctors keep telling me I've had too many and the next one could be the "last one" (but I read up on it 10 concussions may have long term unchangeable effects). But if I didnt have a helmet on, I'm sure I would not be able to write this now.

People are stupid, when we make decisions with our heart. And that is motorcycle riding. Your heart and soul are "free". We should not be making decisions that will change the corse of our lives in that mind set.

Helmets should be used at all times, NO EXCUSSES!!! (Bicycles too!)

PersonaNonGrata · #5 07-05-2011, 06:43 PM

It really is so easy to decide, for most people, that surviving a fall or impact versus the feeling of wind blowing through your hair is a, pardon the pun, no brainer. Not wearing a helmet also can put one's hearing at risk to with freeway speed wind blowing into the ears I believe it can damage hearing.

Those who decry oppressive helmet laws usually argue that it's their choice and it's only their business but I wonder how many who are injured or killed while not wearing a helmet wind up suing someone for the injuries, costing insurance companies, corportations, or taxpayers money for the extra treament required by the more extensive injuries, and the inevitable law suit against the driver involved is an entirely different issue....

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