\”Per mile traveled in 2002, a motorcy-
clist is approximately 27 times more
likely to die in a crash than some-
one riding in an automobile.
■ Head injury is a leading cause of
death in motorcycle crashes.
■ An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40
percent more likely to suffer a fatal
head injury and 15 percent more
likely to suffer a nonfatal injury
than a helmeted motorcyclist when
involved in a crash.
■ NHTSA estimates that motorcycle
helmets reduce the likelihood of a
crash fatality by 37 percent.
■ The Crash Outcome Data Evaluation
System (CODES) study found that
motorcycle helmets are 67 percent
effective in preventing brain inju-
ries and that unhelmeted motorcy-
clists involved in crashes were three
times more likely to suffer brain
injuries than those wearing helmets.
■ From 1984 through 2002, NHTSA
estimates that helmets saved the
lives of 13,774 motorcyclists. If all
motorcycle operators and passen-
gers had worn helmets during
that period, NHTSA estimates that
9,508 additional lives would have
been saved.\”
the vast majority of the first 30 sites i saw were pro-helmet use. I visited research institute websites, a university (georgetown) website, and newspaper websites..ALL stated that helmets are necessary.
I saw a total of 3 websites that were helmet opposition sites. For one of them the link did not even work. The other two were run by individuals not research groups. They\’re only real argument was that helmets are to be a choice not a government intervention.
The research websites stated statistics from their very own studies. The 2 personal websites used simple \”Its my body!\” type arguments.
As I am already biased, the numerous reputable hits in the decidedly pro-helmut column has kept my opinion right where it is. But i realize this was only a small sample of all the data out there. I will keep my eyes open to new data ok?
It\’s a noble idea to force people to protect themselves but should we allow the government to take away another one of our freedoms? Why can\’t people be free to decide for themselves? It\’s tragic when someone loses their life when it could have easily been saved by simply wearing a helmet but isn\’t it their choice? Some other potentially deadly behavior includes smoking, drinking, and swimming in the ocean. Should we allow the government to outlaw smoking and drinking because it may harm us? Should we require scuba divers to carry shark repellant? I believe that no matter how noble the cause you cannot collectively impose your will onto others who have the right to live without constraint as long as they do not endanger others.
I don\’t care if someone wears a helmet or not, but I don\’t want to pay for any losses they have that most likely would have been avoided by wearing one. Even if the accident is my fault, if injuries would likely have been avoided by wearing a helmet, they should have to bear those costs themselves.
\”I believe that no matter how noble the cause you cannot collectively impose your will onto others who have the right to live without constraint as long as they do not endanger others.\”
A pretty succinct argument for gay marriage and assisted suicide. How does that shoe feel, now that it\’s on the other foot?
If a person has a right to use or not to use safety equipment then why wear seat belts? Why should we not have the right to decline air-bags in cars. Why follow the speed limit and the other rules of the road.
As is the case in most laws they are there to protect the MAJORITY or us. If a few decide they have the right to die by not wearing a helmit then please do it as you drive straight into a brick wall at about 50.
Think about the impact a serious injury will have to you any loved ones you may have.
Why do the statistics not include the increased number of riders in 2006 vs 1997. The sale of motorcycles has risen drastically. I really don\’t think the statistics can be accurate as far as % goes unless you take that into account. I for one do wear a helmet when I ride, however, I also believe that is an individual choice and should not be mandated by the government.
I would not be here today if I had not been wearing my Bell helmet when my head collided with the windshield of a car that hit me head-on in 1974. The helmet shattered, but my skull survived. Helmets today are light, comfortable, and stylish. The only reason for not wearing one is arrogant pride. Showing-off is not worth the risk of dying. I would not ride even my bicycle without wearing a helmet. I would not ride a motorcycle without a face shield either.
Your opposition to helmets confuses me. Is there a reason why you or anyone else hate helmets? I don\’t ride motorcycles so please excuse my ignorance.
Duffman poses a very good question – why does one choose *not* to wear a helmet?
I sincerely desire to know. The reasons people do chose to wear helmets are obvious, such as Gary\’s case.
I\’m not concerned with the \’choice\’ or \’freedom\’ argument. I would like to know the reasons a person declines a helmet because I honestly want to try to see this from their point of view.
If you\’re anti-helmet (again, this doesn\’t have to do with choice/freedom… I\’d like to hear from people who simply do NOT want to wear a helmet) and willing to share your thoughts or opinions, I would appreciate it very much.
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First hit for me:
\”Per mile traveled in 2002, a motorcy-
clist is approximately 27 times more
likely to die in a crash than some-
one riding in an automobile.
■ Head injury is a leading cause of
death in motorcycle crashes.
■ An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40
percent more likely to suffer a fatal
head injury and 15 percent more
likely to suffer a nonfatal injury
than a helmeted motorcyclist when
involved in a crash.
■ NHTSA estimates that motorcycle
helmets reduce the likelihood of a
crash fatality by 37 percent.
■ The Crash Outcome Data Evaluation
System (CODES) study found that
motorcycle helmets are 67 percent
effective in preventing brain inju-
ries and that unhelmeted motorcy-
clists involved in crashes were three
times more likely to suffer brain
injuries than those wearing helmets.
■ From 1984 through 2002, NHTSA
estimates that helmets saved the
lives of 13,774 motorcyclists. If all
motorcycle operators and passen-
gers had worn helmets during
that period, NHTSA estimates that
9,508 additional lives would have
been saved.\”
the vast majority of the first 30 sites i saw were pro-helmet use. I visited research institute websites, a university (georgetown) website, and newspaper websites..ALL stated that helmets are necessary.
I saw a total of 3 websites that were helmet opposition sites. For one of them the link did not even work. The other two were run by individuals not research groups. They\’re only real argument was that helmets are to be a choice not a government intervention.
The research websites stated statistics from their very own studies. The 2 personal websites used simple \”Its my body!\” type arguments.
As I am already biased, the numerous reputable hits in the decidedly pro-helmut column has kept my opinion right where it is. But i realize this was only a small sample of all the data out there. I will keep my eyes open to new data ok?
It\’s a noble idea to force people to protect themselves but should we allow the government to take away another one of our freedoms? Why can\’t people be free to decide for themselves? It\’s tragic when someone loses their life when it could have easily been saved by simply wearing a helmet but isn\’t it their choice? Some other potentially deadly behavior includes smoking, drinking, and swimming in the ocean. Should we allow the government to outlaw smoking and drinking because it may harm us? Should we require scuba divers to carry shark repellant? I believe that no matter how noble the cause you cannot collectively impose your will onto others who have the right to live without constraint as long as they do not endanger others.
I don\’t mind if you don\’t wear a helmet when you ride. I just don\’t want to pay your medical and disability bills when you are injured.
I don\’t care if someone wears a helmet or not, but I don\’t want to pay for any losses they have that most likely would have been avoided by wearing one. Even if the accident is my fault, if injuries would likely have been avoided by wearing a helmet, they should have to bear those costs themselves.
\”I believe that no matter how noble the cause you cannot collectively impose your will onto others who have the right to live without constraint as long as they do not endanger others.\”
A pretty succinct argument for gay marriage and assisted suicide. How does that shoe feel, now that it\’s on the other foot?
If a person has a right to use or not to use safety equipment then why wear seat belts? Why should we not have the right to decline air-bags in cars. Why follow the speed limit and the other rules of the road.
As is the case in most laws they are there to protect the MAJORITY or us. If a few decide they have the right to die by not wearing a helmit then please do it as you drive straight into a brick wall at about 50.
Think about the impact a serious injury will have to you any loved ones you may have.
Just think first.
Why do the statistics not include the increased number of riders in 2006 vs 1997. The sale of motorcycles has risen drastically. I really don\’t think the statistics can be accurate as far as % goes unless you take that into account. I for one do wear a helmet when I ride, however, I also believe that is an individual choice and should not be mandated by the government.
I would not be here today if I had not been wearing my Bell helmet when my head collided with the windshield of a car that hit me head-on in 1974. The helmet shattered, but my skull survived. Helmets today are light, comfortable, and stylish. The only reason for not wearing one is arrogant pride. Showing-off is not worth the risk of dying. I would not ride even my bicycle without wearing a helmet. I would not ride a motorcycle without a face shield either.
Your opposition to helmets confuses me. Is there a reason why you or anyone else hate helmets? I don\’t ride motorcycles so please excuse my ignorance.
Duffman poses a very good question – why does one choose *not* to wear a helmet?
I sincerely desire to know. The reasons people do chose to wear helmets are obvious, such as Gary\’s case.
I\’m not concerned with the \’choice\’ or \’freedom\’ argument. I would like to know the reasons a person declines a helmet because I honestly want to try to see this from their point of view.
If you\’re anti-helmet (again, this doesn\’t have to do with choice/freedom… I\’d like to hear from people who simply do NOT want to wear a helmet) and willing to share your thoughts or opinions, I would appreciate it very much.
Thank you.