Bikers... Please read and be carefull out there

[cphilip]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/14/na...818af0a648516a

[FactsOfLife]

I always wear a helmet, riding.

It is not however the gubments place to mandate usage however.

[1stdeadeye]

NJ=Mandatory Helmet!

Smart law in my opinion. I still wear my Shoie RF-800. THose little tiny tupperware helmets make me nervous.

[RRfireblade]

You oughta see what it's like down here since they overturned the mandatory helmet law.Even the ricers don't wear 'em down here anymore.And don't get me started about Bike week.The related deaths have gone through the roof since and no one seems to care as long as the streets are packed during the event seasons.

[Restola]

That article told me there is a coorelation between helmet laws and people >50 dying in motorcycle accidents. Despite the repeal in helmet laws, deaths among people <40 declined (also despite in increase in riders).

If a 55 year old rider doesn't want to wear a helmet, that's between him, his wife, and his insurance company.

[cphilip]

Well I think thats a freak of the statistics. All of it is percentages. When the percentage of motorcyclists gets older thats going to happen. It does not mean there is a DECREASE in one group overall. Overall they go up. But now more percentage of them are older guys. Because more older guys are riding again. Either way it seems helmets do save lives. No matter your age.

[Restola]

They absolutely save lives and everyone should wear one.

Its the attempted connection to the helmet laws in the article that didn't add up.

[cphilip]

That indeed is a quirk. Even they could not explain it.

For a while after SC repealed manditory Helmet laws fatalities went down. For some odd reason. No one can explain it. But then again no one knows how many went on and wore thier helmets anyway.

Here it is over 21 can chose. Under cannot chose.

[CaptaiN_JacK]

I don't think they should make us wear helmets, because the choice to wear a helmet harms nobody except yourself. Mandatory helmets for under 18 or 21 makes sense though I guess.

[Hasty8]

I always wear a helmet, riding.

It is not however the gubments place to mandate usage however.

I gotta disagree with you here. I think it fully the governments right and responsibilty that motorists take the neccessary precautions to ensure that all drivers are safe. This is no different than enforcing traffic and speed laws, banning the use of cell phone while driving and instituting speed laws.

Personally, I hate driving next to them simply because one small mistake from me could cost them their lives, that just makes me nervous.

The true goobers are the one's that drive me crazy.

Idiotic guidos crotch stains riding sooped up crotch rockets at over 80 miles and hour in heavy traffic.

Then there are true brain donors out there like the mensa candidate that I came across while driving home from the country yesterday. Heavy traffic and this goober is riding basically on the white dashed lines. He waits for a car to pull up alongside of him, guns the motor and takes off for a few cars. I could see him laughing as the drivers would either slam on their brakes or pull into the other lane. And while this utter intellectual was wearing a full facial it was perched on top of his head. Had he fallen it would have offered no protection.

Anyway, he got his just deserts. He was swerving in one lane from one side to the other as if to show off. Well, an idiot on a motocycle is no match for a semi. This guy had had enough of him and slammed on his brakes. The motorcycles jockey was so busy showing off to the car behind him that he slammed right into the rig at about 35-40 mph. A cop saw everything, cleared the trailer driver and placed the motorcycle idiot under arrest while he was waiting for the ambulance. (I found this out earlier today from a friend of mine on the force).

Please note that I do not assume all motorcycle riders idiots. Just those who take needless risks with their lives and the lives of other drivers aroun them. I place hem in the same category with the ricer morons who cut people off while they are doing 85 in 55 traffic and there is less than a car length between the two cars.

Myself, I prefer the big Harley's. They just scream "AMERICA" to me and I was thinking of getting one but now that I have a kid I won't.

[Hasty8]

That article told me there is a coorelation between helmet laws and people >50 dying in motorcycle accidents. Despite the repeal in helmet laws, deaths among people <40 declined (also despite in increase in riders).

If a 55 year old rider doesn't want to wear a helmet, that's between him, his wife, and his insurance company.

And other members of the insurance policy.

You have to realize that the insurance company's make the money used to pay off claims by our monthly dues. To many accident claims and our rates go up.

[bofh]

While I am all for wearing a helmet, (and I do wear a snell m2000 approved helmet)

I am against helmet wear laws. I'm also against seat belt laws, and I always wear my seat belt.

I am for the laws that protect other people, such as traffic laws. (speeding, traffic light, reckless driving et al.) but the goverment shouldn't mandate things that only protect me.

What's next? mandated condom usage?

[Hasty8]

While I am all for wearing a helmet, (and I do wear a snell m2000 approved helmet)

I am against helmet wear laws. I'm also against seat belt laws, and I always wear my seat belt.

I am for the laws that protect other people, such as traffic laws. (speeding, traffic light, reckless driving et al.) but the goverment shouldn't mandate things that only protect me.

What's next? mandated condom usage?

You just posted a conundrum(sp?) here.

Seatbelt and helmet laws do not protect "just you". They protect the other driver or riders in your vehicle.

Also, say that you get into a head-on collision and you are not wearing your seatbelt. You get thrown through the windshield and slam into the windshiled of the other car. The eprson who was wearing their seatbelt now has to contend by being hit by your body which is a human missille.

While unlikely I know it demonstrates why to government must enact laws to make everyone safe.

Again, just my two cents.

[Restola]

And other members of the insurance policy.

You have to realize that the insurance company's make the money used to pay off claims by our monthly dues. To many accident claims and our rates go up.

Thanks for the FYI, I was born yesterday...

Perhaps that's why motorcycle insurance is more expensive than car insurance...because its more expensive to the insurance company. Where's the connection to me?

Seatbelt and helmet laws do not protect "just you". They protect the other driver or riders in your vehicle.

Wouldn't the heavier and stronger helmet actually cause MORE damage to other drivers/riders?

While unlikely I know it demonstrates why to government must enact laws to make everyone safe. So I now support a law against helmets.

[Halliday]

Seat belt and helmet laws/fines are just revenue source for the government. If they were so concerned about personal safety then why haven't they outlawed eating, talking or listening to music while driving?

Seat belt laws were not started to keep human missles out of the air. They are an easy way to make money for the government.

When they realize there is money to be made off fines for those items, then they will be outlawed.