Motocycle Helmet laws still in weak in many states

[Remedy]

I'm not sure if this is rozap,

Watch Why Rise in Motorcycle Deaths Hasn't Meant Tough Helmet Laws on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

It's a $50 fine for not wearing a seat belt, (click or ticket), they go after text and drive as well. I'm curious to know why there is such objection to safety for riders?

[McBanagon]

Oh boy, here we go.

Might as well as posted about left lane campers or retrained pets in cars.....

[BltByKrmn]

I have a free subscription to a random motorcycle magazine (can't think of the name right now) and they discussed helmet laws in this month's issue. There are a number of very vocal riders who do NOT want helmet laws and they've done a good job of negotiating for it.

At the end of the day, who gives a ****? Why do you care if some other idiot doesn't want to wear a helmet? I wear one when I ride, I don't care if anyone else does.

[seadoo2006]

Ohio has none except for new-riders with their instructional permit. Meh, the quicker bikers kill themselves off, the better. Personally, I'm more annoyed by the ODOT messages saying "Watch out for bikers" ... F**k that, let them watch out the same as other traffic with no safety restraints or body protection ...

[Cooley]

I have a free subscription to a random motorcycle magazine (can't think of the name right now) and they discussed helmet laws in this month's issue. There are a number of very vocal riders who do NOT want helmet laws and they've done a good job of negotiating for it.

At the end of the day, who gives a ****? Why do you care if some other idiot doesn't want to wear a helmet? I wear one when I ride, I don't care if anyone else does.

Same reason I care when some dubmass turns off his traction control and plows into a phone pole...it costs me money thru increased insurance premiums and other misc. costs which are passed on to me (the taxpayer).

[lubok]

At the end of the day, who gives a ****? Why do you care if some other idiot doesn't want to wear a helmet? I wear one when I ride, I don't care if anyone else does.

Same logic could be used for the seat belt laws then.

[seadoo2006]

I'm in full favor of letting bikers who don't wear helmets out on public roads duke it out in a full contact challenge ... don't want to wear basic safety equipment? Fine, but let's see how you deal with a couple tractor trailers trying to mow you down.

I have nothing but contempt against squids that ride without helmets and safety pads and morons that drive without seatbelts ...

I'd say let nature sort them out, but we need to be proactive about removing these ****heads from the genepool.

[Chris Stack]

Same reason I care when some dubmass turns off his traction control and plows into a phone pole...it costs me money thru increased insurance premiums and other misc. costs which are passed on to me (the taxpayer).

We've been through this before; the cost per person is so friggin' minuscule that it's not worth bunching your panties over. Let them kill themselves off, because if we all start pointing out other's risks we're not going to pay for, some of our favorite hobbies are going to disappear fast.

[scsuh]

Same reason I care when some dubmass turns off his traction control and plows into a phone pole...it costs me money thru increased insurance premiums and other misc. costs which are passed on to me (the taxpayer).

I see your argument, but you are comparing two different things. Things like traction control can help prevent vehicular accidents. Helmets and seatbelts, while keeping the driver/rider safe, generally do not help prevent vehicular accidents.

And also, i can MAYBE see how accidents could raise overall insurance premiums because of increased hospitalization fees for those not wearing helmets/seatbelts. but taxes? that's kind of a stretch.

[Cooley]

We've been through this before; the cost per person is so friggin' minuscule that it's not worth bunching your panties over. Let them kill themselves off, because if we all start pointing out other's risks we're not going to pay for, some of our favorite hobbies are going to disappear fast.

You mean like defeatable traction control? Just wait in a few years there won't even be a buttom for it at all. Ever hear of uninsured motorist coverage? That's not minuscule.

[Remedy]

And also, i can MAYBE see how accidents could raise overall insurance premiums because of increased hospitalization fees for those not wearing helmets/seatbelts. but taxes? that's kind of a stretch.

I interrupted his comment as 'he the taxpayer' who pays for the first responder services that aid the anti-helmet riders, EMT response, ER response,etc.

[s3bmx919]

for many "purists" it interferes with their idea of freedom the motorcycle brings. i say let the idiots do what they will and let darwin keep doing his work

[compy222]

michigan just repealed their helmet law...same as every state surrounding us.

still would not get on a bike without a helmet...or full gear.

[macosxuser]

I'm a full gear kinda guy, but a helmet isn't going to change the EMT response or anything else. Just how likely the rider is to die. I'm all about letting people be stupid if they want.

[BRealistic]

Not wearing a helmet can turn a minor low speed oops into a serious brain injury...

And I do not understand their logic about personal freedom.
Riding a motorcycle or driving a car is not a right, it is a privilege.
And if you want that privilege you must adhere to the regulations that are in place to make it reasonably fair and safe for all.
Frankly- I think all motorcycle riders should have to wear helmets AND protective leathers.
Coworker's daughter was in a motorcycle crash last weekend (riding on bike and the bike driver had a seizure).
She is in bad shape- but many of the problems will come from all the peeled skin since she was riding in shorts and a t-shirt.

[personman]

I interrupted his comment as 'he the taxpayer' who pays for the first responder services that aid the anti-helmet riders, EMT response, ER response,etc.

I spent 4 hours today in my county's 911 call center. I'm pretty sure if you're worried about unnecessary EMS costs that helmet laws are going to be pretty far down on the list.

[compy222]

my issue with the helmet laws has always been twofold:

1. we mandate really crappy helmets...those DOT M brain buckets aren't going to do dick for your in a serious accident. either mandate the very best or nothing at all.

2. just because you follow the law and are wearing a helmet, its still legal to ride in your boxer shorts and wife beater. which means you're still going to die if you get hit or fall off your bike. again, mandate full gear or mandate nothing.

[personman]

And I do not understand their logic about personal freedom.
Riding a motorcycle or driving a car is not a right, it is a privilege.
And if you want that privilege you must adhere to the regulations that are in place to make it reasonably fair and safe for all.

I think you're right. You know, so many car accidents are caused nowadays by poor car maintenance and faulty repairs, we should have laws in place that restrict it so only certified mechanics can work on cars.

My point, so as to not be misinterpreted, is that no matter what it is you love to do, somewhere, someone out there wants to outlaw or restrict it for your own safety, and the good of society.

[Remedy]

Not wearing a helmet can turn a minor low speed oops into a serious brain injury...

And I do not understand their logic about personal freedom.
Riding a motorcycle or driving a car is not a right, it is a privilege.
And if you want that privilege you must adhere to the regulations that are in place to make it reasonably fair and safe for all.
Frankly- I think all motorcycle riders should have to wear helmets AND protective leathers.

[Chris Stack]

Not wearing a helmet can turn a minor low speed oops into a serious brain injury...

And I do not understand their logic about personal freedom.
Riding a motorcycle or driving a car is not a right, it is a privilege.
And if you want that privilege you must adhere to the regulations that are in place to make it reasonably fair and safe for all.
Frankly- I think all motorcycle riders should have to wear helmets AND protective leathers.
Coworker's daughter was in a motorcycle crash last weekend (riding on bike and the bike driver had a seizure).
She is in bad shape- but many of the problems will come from all the peeled skin since she was riding in shorts and a t-shirt.

So, uhh, if helmets arent the law, like they aren't in many places...

[pknopp]

I do not have the stats but I'm going to guess that their is a higher rate of health care cost because of people putting their penis in places (or allowing it in their places) without protecting it than there is for people not protecting themselves fully while riding.

Maybe we need a law.

[BRealistic]

So, uhh, if helmets arent the law, like they aren't in many places...

Now, that it true.

I am confused as to how a group can be so organized against a very basic and effective safety requirement.
Are getting these helmet laws repealed seen as some type of ceremonial event, and most that support the motorcycle lobby actually do wear helmets even in states where helmets are not required?

[BRealistic]

And I love how a motorcyclist mentioned paying taxes that support the emergent services..... Like that means you can do anything you want.

Fatalities are the most talked about safety statistic, buy what about motorcycle riders that claim disability after a crash. I find it a but myopic to claim riding without a helmet is a 'personal style choice'(because after all the freedom BS, we know the anti-helmet group don't like wearing helmets due to image) when a single crash can put that rebel motorcyclist on tax funded disability for decades.

[hoffmaw1]

Now, that it true.

I am confused as to how a group can be so organized against a very basic and effective safety requirement.
Are getting these helmet laws repealed seen as some type of ceremonial event, and most that support the motorcycle lobby actually do wear helmets even in states where helmets are not required?

This happened last year http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.s..._motorcyc.html

I don't think they were moving that fast.

[Remedy]

[wisky]

I think wearing a helmet should be a choice, but I would personally always choose to wear a helmet.

[rpmk4]

i support no helmet laws even though i always wear my helmet. i support not having to wear a seat belt (children seat belt laws are ok) even though i always wear mine. why there has to be laws over a safety choice is beyond me. if they were serious about any of them the penalties would be more harsh. $25 for a seat belt ticket around here, guess how many people take the chance over such a small amount of money. If you're going to do the laws you should do them with the intent that you actually get punished for not following them, not half ass it.

[irishmpls_2]

It's not what you wear, it's how you ride. Many people ride tens of thousands of miles a year with selective gear (helmet only) or no gear at all and never have an accident.

What I am curious about is this:

Facts show that smoking and chewing tobacco causes cancer.

Facts show that drugs can cause an overdose.

Facts show that unprotected sex can lead to diseases.

So why is it ok to do those things?

Anyone who is going to bitch about how dumb I am for only wearing a helmet that participates in the above or any other number of inherently risky behaviors is a glaring example of hypocrisy.

Welcome to reality.

[BRealistic]

It's not what you wear, it's how you ride. Many people ride tens of thousands of miles a year with selective gear (helmet only) or no gear at all and never have an accident.

What I am curious about is this:

Facts show that smoking and chewing tobacco causes cancer.

Facts show that drugs can cause an overdose.

Facts show that unprotected sex can lead to diseases.

So why is it ok to do those things?

Anyone who is going to bitch about how dumb I am for only wearing a helmet that participates in the above or any other number of inherently risky behaviors is a glaring example of hypocrisy.

Welcome to reality.

How about we keep all analogies and comparisons to other vehicle related laws....

[irishmpls_2]

How about we keep all analogies and comparisons to other vehicle related laws....

How about risk is risk...

[cryption]

There should be no helmet law like their should be no seatbelt law. Have the safety equipment available, and let the user decide. They only hurt themselves. Darwinism in action.

[irishmpls_2]

But many people don't hurt themselves. What about then?

[cryption]

But many people don't hurt themselves. What about then?

I don't follow? If you aren't wearing a helmet you are both stupid, and putty. You would do more damage to another object with a helmet then with soft, gooey head. The helmet wouldn't collapse as quickly.

[irishmpls_2]

I don't follow? If you aren't wearing a helmet you are both stupid, and putty. You would do more damage to another object with a helmet then with soft, gooey head. The helmet wouldn't collapse as quickly.

The question of judgement and stupidity is opinion alone and nothing more. I think drinking, smoking, and drugs are for stuupid people....but I don't expect ieveryone or anyone to agree.

And what if there is no accident? Does not wearing gear increase accidents? Will I definitely get in an accident because I only wear a lid? Or is how people ride what causes accidents? Reckless rising, complacent riding, not paying attention.....

[cryption]

The question of judgement and stupidity is opinion alone and nothing more. I think drinking, smoking, and drugs are for stuupid people....but I don't expect ieveryone or anyone to agree.

And what if there is no accident? Does not wearing gear increase accidents? Will I definitely get in an accident because I only wear a lid? Or is how people ride what causes accidents? Reckless rising, complacent riding, not paying attention.....

I think wearing safety gear is common sense, and thus need not be regulated. It's like putting your hand on a burning stove - but there is no law against that? These laws are merely ways for jurisdictions to make a quick buck.

Accidents are all about how people ride, and how good their spacial awareness is. Some people just don't have the operating speed to allow them to ride safely.