Another helmet law post

[Laminar]

One additional advantage of wearing FF helmets is the anonymity you get. I like it when I'm wearing one, young, hot girls stare at me. If only they knew what I really look like.....

Why do you think I got a mirrored visor? 

[wralyn]

I was very appreciative of my FF helmet last year when I did a face plant into a mesquite shrub. Judging by the damage done, I could have easily lost an eye from the thorns. Instead, it cost me $30.00 to replace the shield. Quite a bargain if you ask me!

As for mandatory laws, I have mixed emotions. I understand the need to keep government out of the way, but I was raised in an environment where nobody wore seat belts. It wasn't until it became mandatory that I started wearing it. Now, I don't even think about it. It's just as much a part of going for a drive as putting the ignition key in the switch.

For those of you who think that it doesn't matter as long as you are only hurting yourself...there have been times where the seat belt helped keep me planted in my seat and in control of my vehicle, thus preventing me from running into someone else. The same would go for helmets. Do you think that a rock kicked up by an 18-wheeler and smacking you in the forehead only puts you at risk? If it prevents you from losing control of your bike, then it prevents you from hurting others.

[genespleen]

For those of you who think that it doesn't matter as long as you are only hurting yourself...there have been times where the seat belt helped keep me planted in my seat and in control of my vehicle, thus preventing me from running into someone else. The same would go for helmets. Do you think that a rock kicked up by an 18-wheeler and smacking you in the forehead only puts you at risk? If it prevents you from losing control of your bike, then it prevents you from hurting others.

Well said. 

The "loss" of freedom we suffer because of a helmet pales in comparison the good that helmet laws provide (so long as the helmet wearer actually chooses a competent helmet).

[DesignFlaw06]

For those of you who think that it doesn't matter as long as you are only hurting yourself...there have been times where the seat belt helped keep me planted in my seat and in control of my vehicle, thus preventing me from running into someone else. The same would go for helmets. Do you think that a rock kicked up by an 18-wheeler and smacking you in the forehead only puts you at risk? If it prevents you from losing control of your bike, then it prevents you from hurting others.

Well said. 

The "loss" of freedom we suffer because of a helmet pales in comparison the good that helmet laws provide (so long as the helmet wearer actually chooses a competent helmet).

But if you can choose an inadequate helmet, what's the point of having the law in the first place?

This sums it up:

[Munkey]

Didn't really mean for the thread to become a for vs. against discussion on the different helmet laws. Just thought you guys would find the approach taken by these guys in Missouri to be kinda funny and pointless.

[Bumblebee]

Didn't really mean for the thread to become a for vs. against discussion on the different helmet laws. Just thought you guys would find the approach taken by these guys in Missouri to be kinda funny and pointless.

Actually their argument against helmet is hilarious if you can get past the extreme idiotic mindset. Some levels of stupid beliefs are hard to get past. It wouldn't be so difficult if it was a joke however they REALLY honestly believe what they're saying Just 

[Brittles]

How's this for irony.....

The Maryland state director of ABATE was killed locally back in '06 when a vehicle pulled out in front of him. While he was wearing a helmet (MD has a helmet law) it was reported that if came off in the accident. Marty was a great guy according to anyone that knew him. While I can't say for sure what type of helmet he was wearing I can't help but think it was one of those non-DOT novelty helmets that I see a lot of people wearing.

http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7nN0tTlNvX8AaZdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1bWtoZnJ2BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDOARjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA1ZJUDA0MV8xODU-/SIG=13cc8pihg/EXP=1295656436/**http%3a//newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.motorcycles.harley/2006-08/msg05035.html

[Munkey]

How's this for irony.....

The Maryland state director of ABATE was killed locally back in '06 when a vehicle pulled out in front of him. While he was wearing a helmet (MD has a helmet law) it was reported that if came off in the accident. Marty was a great guy according to anyone that knew him. While I can't say for sure what type of helmet he was wearing I can't help but think it was one of those non-DOT novelty helmets that I see a lot of people wearing.

http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7nN0tTlNvX8AaZdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1bWtoZnJ2BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDOARjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA1ZJUDA0MV8xODU-/SIG=13cc8pihg/EXP=1295656436/**http%3a//newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.motorcycles.harley/2006-08/msg05035.html

Article says it was a Harley. I've seen very few guys on Harleys wearing REAL helmets. So odds are that it was not a very good helmet.

[Soupskin]

How's this for irony.....

The Maryland state director of ABATE was killed locally back in '06 when a vehicle pulled out in front of him. While he was wearing a helmet (MD has a helmet law) it was reported that if came off in the accident. Marty was a great guy according to anyone that knew him. While I can't say for sure what type of helmet he was wearing I can't help but think it was one of those non-DOT novelty helmets that I see a lot of people wearing.

http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7nN0tTlNvX8AaZdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1bWtoZnJ2BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDOARjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA1ZJUDA0MV8xODU-/SIG=13cc8pihg/EXP=1295656436/**http%3a//newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.motorcycles.harley/2006-08/msg05035.html

Same for the Florida chapter leader.

[Bumblebee]

While I can't say for sure what type of helmet he was wearing I can't help but think it was one of those non-DOT novelty helmets that I see a lot of people wearing.

Based on the design of those little hats with long chin straps, even if it's DOT approved and secured properly, I'm not seeing how it could stay on the riders head once the impact forces go beyond very mild. A moderately low speed crash starts off at violent and thing get brutal after that.

Gotta secure the chin straps properly. Without them, the helmet won't stay put. I've seen quite a few riders shove an obviously loose helmet on and take off without touching the strap.

[SirSeanSean]

For those of you who think that it doesn't matter as long as you are only hurting yourself...there have been times where the seat belt helped keep me planted in my seat and in control of my vehicle, thus preventing me from running into someone else. The same would go for helmets. Do you think that a rock kicked up by an 18-wheeler and smacking you in the forehead only puts you at risk? If it prevents you from losing control of your bike, then it prevents you from hurting others.

I didn't even think of that. Touche

[wralyn]

For those of you who think that it doesn't matter as long as you are only hurting yourself...there have been times where the seat belt helped keep me planted in my seat and in control of my vehicle, thus preventing me from running into someone else. The same would go for helmets. Do you think that a rock kicked up by an 18-wheeler and smacking you in the forehead only puts you at risk? If it prevents you from losing control of your bike, then it prevents you from hurting others.

Well said. 

The "loss" of freedom we suffer because of a helmet pales in comparison the good that helmet laws provide (so long as the helmet wearer actually chooses a competent helmet).

But if you can choose an inadequate helmet, what's the point of having the law in the first place?

My point is not so much whether helmets should be mandatory as it is about making a logical argument if you are opposed to it. Saying that you aren't putting anyone else in danger by not wearing a helmet (to me) is like saying that driving on a bald tire doesn't pose a risk to others. It's not as absurd as the OPs story, but still a valid point.

When it comes down to it, most of us would approve of government intervention for things we support and disapprove of intervention on things that we do not.

[rwilli1228]

too hot

Too hot in Colorado?  BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[red78ta]

I'm not in favor of helmet laws, but,

cause you to over heat?  Try pulling over and drinking some water... overheating isn't something that happens instantaneously, you'd probably have to stop and wipe the sweat out of your eyes long before you overheated anyway...   

[Bumblebee]

Too hot in Colorado?  BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Didn't you know that Colorado is closer to the sun therefore much warmer. 

[Rusty B]

I also have mixed emotions about helmet laws.
Mainly because of the lack of requirements of type of helmet required. What good is a little beaney cap?
Either require a helmet that will do some good, and require that it is strapped on, or just forget it.
The most that I go without a helmet is to back the bike out of the garage and start it up. While it is warming up I gear up.
I have two helmets, one FF, and an open face. I use the FF most of the time.

Rusty     

[Soupskin]

As long as trauma centers and hospitals are required to provide care regardless of ability to pay (as I think they should), I will support helmet laws and wish they were even stricter than they are today.

[flynavyj]

Missouri nearly repealed their helmet law two years ago. I can specifically remember hearing that the law was about to be overturned. At the time people just stopped wearing their helmets, and the police stopped trying to pull people over, it was pretty interesting. When the governor veto'd the bill, everyone was PO'd...numerous folks actually thought the law passed over the weekend, and had no clue the next week when i told them he said "no, keep wearing your helmet".

I'm in line with many people on here, the government shouldn't be telling you to wear a piece of safety equipment for yourself. If they wanted to make it mandatory that every motorcycle comes with a helmet, you can impose that on the manufacturer, then allow them the choice on whether or not they wear it...Same time, i really don't like the idea of someone's individual choice to increase my insurance rates (both on my vehicle insurance and health insurance). I'm still waiting to hear someone ask if i ride a motorcycle on my health insurance questionaire. If the repeal a helmet law, i'd be asking "do you wear a helmet when you ride? If you helmet DOT? Is your helmet SNELL approved?" etc etc etc...

[leftfield6]

As long as trauma centers and hospitals are required to provide care regardless of ability to pay (as I think they should), I will support helmet laws and wish they were even stricter than they are today.

I second the opinion of the gentleman from GA.  Well said.

[Bumblebee]

As long as trauma centers and hospitals are required to provide care regardless of ability to pay

So since it's most likely really about money and not safety of the rider, which it obviously isn't since beanie caps and shorts/tshirt/flip flops is acceptable crash gear to society in general and insurance companies, I wonder if not wearing helmets is cheaper in the long run.

Helmet law only (no gear or FF requirements) - How much does facial reconstruction (typical open face helmet), extensive skin grafts, rehabilitation, disability unemployment, mental trauma, lawsuits against motorcycle manufacturers cost?
No helmet law - Squid baseball cap turned around backward or doo rag: How much does a wood box and a couple workers with shovels and a wheelbarrow cost?
Which cost society more over the next 40 years for a single violent faceplant scenario?


When it really comes to states with helmet laws: As long as they don't pass a law saying we can't wear crash gear (including FF helmets) and also don't give me a ticket for rolling the motorcycle on/off the trailer without a helmet or short post maintenance putter around rides, I shall continue to ignore all the pathetically inadequate motorcycle crash gear laws. I just don't like being told what to do by nosy busybodies who don't understand the environment they're acting like they're experts in. Besides, the weak or sick elk tend to get taken down by the wolves which in turn keeps the species healthy...think about it...

[rwilli1228]

Speaking of insurance issues....

I have a few life insurance policies on myself and each time I either renewed my policy or bought a new one they did not ask if I ride motorcycles.  They did ask if I race cars though. So out of curiosity I asked if riding a motorcycle could in fact affect my life insurance rates or cause a denial in coverage.  My agent said no.  This is good but, doesn't anyone else think that's weird? 
 
Evidently they care more about your bilirubin levels and family medical history than what is usually considered "risky activities".  Word to the wise... don't have a night out with your buddies the night before an insurance physical.   

[Soupskin]

I'm guessing the statistics back up their questions.

I carry extra life insurance as well.

[Brittles]

I wonder if an insurance company could deny coverage for a head injury or death if you were wearing a novelty helmet in a state with a helmet law?

[Option13]

As long as trauma centers and hospitals are required to provide care regardless of ability to pay (as I think they should), I will support helmet laws and wish they were even stricter than they are today.

+1

Besides, the weak or sick elk tend to get taken down by the wolves which in turn keeps the species healthy...think about it...

Over how many generations and thousands of years?

Which cost society more over the next 40 years for a single violent faceplant scenario?

What costs society more over the next 40 years or so for every other motorcycle crash (when you don't limit it to your point of contention)? There's more than one way to crash a bike.