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Aug 16, 2018 | 03:10 PM

#11

hardheaded

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 11,216

Likes: 3,045

From: St.Louis Mo.

All that means nothing ! The people with cell phones are the most dangerous out there. Old blue hairs turning in front of you happens way to many times. I've seen new 16 old drivers that could make a turn, but yet they got their license.

Aug 16, 2018 | 03:14 PM

#12

Haarley

Road Master

Joined: Mar 2018

Posts: 963

Likes: 388

From: Indianapolis

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjdyna

Here are some stats I came across today that really made me stop and wonder about. From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2016 there were 5,286 motorcyclist fatalities. Of that number 2,089 (41%) were NOT wearing a helmet. I know the argument about individual rights and freedoms but seriously?? Yes you can go ahead in some states and not wear a helmet and take your chances but some one has to clean up the mess. Even worse were the BAC stats. 25% of the motorcycle fatalities had a BAC over .08. What the F!! Does anyone really think it is a good idea to go out and get legally intoxicated and then get on a motorcycle and drive around??? Talk about a death wish
Just my opinion I know.

There's a confounding variable in that helmeted riders tend to be safer and better riders, so it's not always the helmet that saves the rider; it's frequently better riding skill.

Aug 16, 2018 | 03:15 PM

#13

Dynamick

Club Member

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 9,810

Likes: 8,707

From: Edmonton, Alberta

Quote:

Originally Posted by TejasJeff

Where's that damn horse beating icon. Seriously though, the beating a dead horse on this topic is "just my opinion, I know". ;-)

I'll see your dead horse and raise you this guy...

And, I'll be sure to read these sobering stats before every ride. That way I'll never ride drunk.

Aug 16, 2018 | 03:15 PM

#14

OzHD

Banned

Joined: Jul 2018

Posts: 1,501

Likes: 437

From: Mandurah, West Oz

I've been watching "bad drivers Australia" on YouTube...

There's no common factor - phones, stupidity, arrogance, cars and bikes both do lunatic things, showing off, "gotta be first"... it's all happening.

And a motorcycle is (along with push bikes) THE most vulnerable thing on the road. So... helmets and dress properly.

That's not "fear", it's common sense!

Aug 16, 2018 | 03:16 PM

#15

Haarley

Road Master

Joined: Mar 2018

Posts: 963

Likes: 388

From: Indianapolis

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbob

So 3,197 riders were wearing helmets that died? Looks to me that not wearing a helmet according to those stat's is safer.

You and the Aussie guy committed the Base Rate Fallacy.

Aug 16, 2018 | 03:19 PM

#16

Clammy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 8,129

Likes: 1,981

From: Ottawa, CANADA

Meh, in nearly 100% of motorcycle fatalities in Canada, the rider was wearing a lid. Every province has a mandatory lid law. Lids are no guarantee of anything. Let those who ride, decide.

As for the "someone else has to clean up the mess" argument, unless you live your life inside an insulated bubble, never doing anything fun or interesting, that argument is pure bunk. Hell, even if you DO live in an insulated bubble, never doing anything fun or interesting that argument is pure crap!

Aug 16, 2018 | 03:29 PM

#17

tbob

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 2,791

Likes: 690

From: Smalltown,USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haarley

You and the Aussie guy committed the Base Rate Fallacy.

It's a percentage system that's flawed at best. To many variables left out.

Last edited by tbob; Aug 16, 2018 at 03:30 PM.

Aug 16, 2018 | 03:38 PM

#18

Cygnusx51

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 5,691

Likes: 1,651

From: Olean, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjdyna

Does anyone really think it is a good idea to go out and get legally intoxicated and then get on a motorcycle and drive around?

Im gonna have a saddlebag full of beer on my way to the hill climbs this weekend. Sounds like a great idea to me

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Aug 16, 2018 | 03:46 PM

#19

QNman

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2015

Posts: 6,863

Likes: 3,727

From: St. Charles, MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by d906670

Of that 41% how many did it matter that they were lidless?
I can remember at least 15 that I investigated that all it would have done is made it easier to id them.

Ditto. I'd say greater than 50% of the accidents I worked were sportbikes, where the riders were wearing helmets, and it did jack squat. Like the kid who was new on his crotch rocket, and locked his rear on a cloverleaf, and slid under a tractor trailer. Helmet popped like a watermelon.

Or the one where a new rider on a shiny 600cc crotch rocket locked both up in a right sweeper on a two-lane, and barrelled into the side of a delivery truck. His head hid first, and his full face helmet split into three pieces. He was going over 60 MPH when he hit.

Many many factors in a MC accident. Statistics are in your favor (a little) when wearing a lid, but safe riding goes a lot further.