Dilligaf
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 5,175
From: SWMO
I shake my head when I read, "I live in a state where I have to wear a helmet, so I don't have a choice." Really? Technically, no one is forcing you to wear a helmet. You are either wearing it because you want to or you are just doing it to avoid paying a fine.
Instead of just grumbling and putting something on your head you don't want, why not work the system? Helmet laws are just another law. Laws get changed and repealed all the time. Write, call, e-mail your elected officials and make a sensible case for the return of your personal freedom to choose. Maybe get involved with your local ABATE group. They are usually fighting against helmet laws.
It probably seems hopeless, but nothing will change if people don't make it change.
Instead of just grumbling and putting something on your head you don't want, why not work the system? Helmet laws are just another law. Laws get changed and repealed all the time. Write, call, e-mail your elected officials and make a sensible case for the return of your personal freedom to choose. Maybe get involved with your local ABATE group. They are usually fighting against helmet laws.
It probably seems hopeless, but nothing will change if people don't make it change.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 263
Likes: 30
From: Canada, Thailand
Nobody cares if you don't wear a helmet and crack your head open in an acccident, they just don't want to have to pay for it. This is the reason for helmet laws. As far as whether helmets help or not have someone hit you on the head with a bat while you are wearing a helmet then try it without one. Send in the results afterwards if you can. I do agree that it should be our choice if we have insurance to cover us. Funny thing is here in B.C. the Sikhs wearing turbans are not required to wear a helmet.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Lexington KY
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Hot topic. I worked in the healthcare field for 15 years and fed some accident victims their meals. Even having seen some of the effects of the various wrecks, I had no real personal opinion on the matter; I'd wear a helmet if I had to. I understood the angst that people had over being told they MUST wear one. I'd assisted people who had made a choice the regretted and would change if they could. Driving home a few weeks ago in my truck, a semi in front of me kicked up what looked like a freaking railroad spike. It hit my windshield low, about dead center. Behind me was a guy on a bike. It gave me pause to wonder what that would have been like for him to catch it in the face. I'll wear a FF helmet happily and that's my choice.
As for the OP: Do your thing.
As for the OP: Do your thing.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 702
Likes: 16
From: Zebulon, NC
as long as you clowns are willing to carry adequate hospitalization insurance, i really think you should have the freedom of choice when it comes to wearing a helmet. but, there is no way that my tax dollars should be spent treating your head injuries caused by not wearing a helmet. $100,000 should be the minimum amount required to ride without a helmet. win/win. you get to ride without a helmet and i don't have to pay your doctor bills. that would really be taking responsibility for your actions.
then mother nature could thin the herd without it costing the taxpayers money.
then mother nature could thin the herd without it costing the taxpayers money.
I'd really like to see how much of a motorcycle head injury, for someone in my situation (statistically speaking) is really paid for by the taxpayer?
I think most harley owners are in a similar situation.
Then there will always be subjective arguments on types of injuries with/without helmets and cost association....just too many variables.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 702
Likes: 16
From: Zebulon, NC
just stirring the pot.....from 2008 NHTSA study on motorcycle accidents.
Helmets are estimated to be 37-percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and 41-percent for motorcycle passengers.
That right there kind of nullifies the insurance expense argument...because funerals are cheaper than lifelong medical care.
There are not any statistics in this study on accident effects and or comparing helmet use/non-use against those effects/costs.
But they absolutely help to prevent deaths.
Interesting is approx. 25% of MC accidents were with invalid licensed riders!
Helmets are estimated to be 37-percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and 41-percent for motorcycle passengers.
That right there kind of nullifies the insurance expense argument...because funerals are cheaper than lifelong medical care.
There are not any statistics in this study on accident effects and or comparing helmet use/non-use against those effects/costs.
But they absolutely help to prevent deaths.
Interesting is approx. 25% of MC accidents were with invalid licensed riders!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,520
Likes: 57,070
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Okay ... to those who so vehemently contend that their only "real concern" is that they not be made to pay for your/our decision to not wear a helmet ... are you also that focused on your tax dollars going to those who sit on thier a$$ and collect a check while you're/we are going off to work each day to support this fantastic ( and it really is the best system out there ) country ... could it be that maybe some of those individuals could have been the ones that were glad to ramble off to do their duty for their country while donning another type of helmet ... Just a thought ... just my .02 cents worth.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
Okay ... to those who so vehemently contend that their only "real concern" is that they not be made to pay for your/our decision to not wear a helmet ... are you also that focused on your tax dollars going to those who sit on thier a$$ and collect a check while you're/we are going off to work each day to support this fantastic ( and it really is the best system out there ) country ... could it be that maybe some of those individuals could have been the ones that were glad to ramble off to do their duty for their country while donning another type of helmet ... Just a thought ... just my .02 cents worth.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 263
Likes: 30
From: Canada, Thailand
Okay ... to those who so vehemently contend that their only "real concern" is that they not be made to pay for your/our decision to not wear a helmet ... are you also that focused on your tax dollars going to those who sit on thier a$$ and collect a check while you're/we are going off to work each day to support this fantastic ( and it really is the best system out there ) country ... could it be that maybe some of those individuals could have been the ones that were glad to ramble off to do their duty for their country while donning another type of helmet ... Just a thought ... just my .02 cents worth.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 96
Likes: 13
From: Naples florida
Quote paddywagon "That being said, the other day on the way home from work I saw a guy with the big "dont tread on me" patch on the back of his vest, and "helmet laws suck" stickers and patches all over the place. The most prominant on accross the back of his helmet. If it sucks that bad...take it off."
I think maybe you missed the point paddywagon. Lots of people like and wear helmets but still do not believe in laws requiring that you do so. They are usually the ones that value freedom of choice and thier choice is to wear a helmet. All any of us want is to be left alone to do as we chose. Kind of like being left alone to ride our bikes and not have someone outlaw them just because of a possibility of risk.
I think maybe you missed the point paddywagon. Lots of people like and wear helmets but still do not believe in laws requiring that you do so. They are usually the ones that value freedom of choice and thier choice is to wear a helmet. All any of us want is to be left alone to do as we chose. Kind of like being left alone to ride our bikes and not have someone outlaw them just because of a possibility of risk.
Why bitch and show your displeasure about having to wear one, when you dont have to wear one?