(06-06-05) Helmet Laws

[tzeigler88]

I personally believe every time you hit the street on a bike you should have one on. That's just me though...

Originally Posted by Trapper

You guys and your "Darwinism" I think helmets should be required by law. For the simple reason that I have heard on this forum and have witnessed in my life that the 16-25 (and up) demographic frequently lack common sense. this doesn't mean that they will not gain common sense in the future, so why shouldn't we make them protect their brain until it is fully developed? I bet there would be a lot of wasted lives if we didn't keep an eye out for the testosterone laden young men out there.

Sorry Mark, I know you said no discussions, but no one else listened....

Originally Posted by Trapper

You guys and your "Darwinism" I think helmets should be required by law. For the simple reason that I have heard on this forum and have witnessed in my life that the 16-25 (and up) demographic frequently lack common sense. this doesn't mean that they will not gain common sense in the future, so why shouldn't we make them protect their brain until it is fully developed? I bet there would be a lot of wasted lives if we didn't keep an eye out for the testosterone laden young men out there.

Sorry Mark, I know you said no discussions, but no one else listened....

Any law that makes up your mind for you is a law that infringes on your rights.
The last time I checked at 18 people were responsible for their own actions when they give up that responsibility they are saying that they are children and the government should take care of them.

[Jimmydee]

In Michigan, I pay into a catastrophic medical fund every time I pay my insurance. I think it is $135 a year for each vehicle. It becomes my business whether a person wares a helmet, when the head injuries from motorcycle accident, start drawing from that fund. It goes up or down as to how much is drawn out of it.
I would go for it if, no helmet, no money from the catastrophic fund.
Jim

[HAMMERPETE]

For the helmet...and in full jacket,chaps and helmet...I look damn sexy!

[Adriaan]

I always wear a helmet, but I'm against the helmet law.
I think governments are already to much into telling people what they should and should not do. We need less government, not more government.

[Broc]

should be up the the rider... PERIOD!

[frostbitevinnie]

To me its just like the seat belt law, I don't like it! I used to own a 77' 280Z, pretty fast car and I drove it in the mountains a lot for the twisty effect!! I soon found out that if you don't have a belt on zooming around corners at high speed you will get thrown all over the car. Wear a belt to keep your butt where it belongs, wear a helmet to keep your head where it belongs. I don't like these laws simply because it keeps too many idiots alive and cancels out population control.

[tricker]

My head would get cold w/o my helmet on.. but on the overall discussion.. I take the Switzerland defense (no offense to the members from Switzerland)

[C50Hexy]

Hi Everyone,

Just getting back on the site after a hiatus.
Good topic --- quick response. I'll always wear a helmet and think everyone should, however, I believe that this falls under personal rights. -

Side note: I wear helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, etc.. but no protection for my legs apart from jeans? ....Can't see myself in leather chaps!!!

[omegajim]

nothing like reviving an old thread.

[jprisme]

helmets save lives. period.

[Lion6322]

I'm "anti" and "pro". I think when you first start learning to ride, you should have to ride with a helmet for at least the first 2 years. Also, if you're traveling on an interstate or above a certain speed, you should have one on. But any other time it should be your choice. I don't care if your head makes it, if your body is totally f-ed up your not going to survive anyway. Trust me, I'm a volunteer firefighter, I know, I've seen it. Anyway, it's my life, where's my freedom to choose for myself wether or not I want to take my life into my hands. I know the risks. Where is it anyone elses place or buisness to tell me I MUST wear a helmet, or seatbelt in a car for that matter. I did'nt know we went communist, where other people make all the decisions for us and tell us everything we can and can't do.

[Danthedawgfan]

Pro-Helmet
Doesn't matter if there is a law for it or not I will wear one as will any passenger with me. Don't understand the states with no helmet law and strict seat belts though...

[Nal]

I love my full face helmet and will not wear anything but, specially after personally grinding the front of it against the assphalt, in a perfect world everybody would wear their fullface, and insurance rates would be much cheaper, due to less medical bills/ death insurance payoffs, but it ain't perfect so I guess I'll just worry about me and my loved ones and make sure they do the right thing

[sra4031]

Originally Posted by LayinLo

Pro-helmet wearer...........anti-legislation!!!!!

I agree. I wear a helmet because of safety, but do not like to be told I have to wear a helmet.

[Davecm203]

When I was on my way to Iraq while in the Marines in '91 I was reading Easy Rider. (On ship, bored, most of my buddies were into Harleys and so I borrowed one of their mags.) I read an article written by a guy who was in a wreck on his bike and was not wearing a helmet. He was in the hospital for weeks, had a metal plate put in his head, had to have a prosthetic ear and skin grafts onto his face. The point of the article was how it took a while for anyone to stop and he almost died as a result. But, when I finished the article and turned the page, there was a full page add that urged the readers to call and write their congressmen and urge them to repel all helmet laws because "Helmet laws suck".

[Wild Willy]

I voted for no helmet laws. I always wear my helmet. I just don't think that we need laws for this.

In Montana, If you are under 21 you have to wear a helmet.


Adults should have the right to choose.

[02Bandito1200S]

Originally Posted by Trapper

Fight the laws that infringe on your rights, not the ones that protect you.

Remember Mr. Franklin's words "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety".


I cannot fathom the level of stupidity required to see riding without a helmet as OK, however I do not support helmet laws. This is not because I believe in Darwin as some previous posters do. Darwin's theory is bunk. I simply believe we have far far far to many law/restriction levied upon us as it is. We need to repeal many of the laws that have been passed already in the name of public safety. The big problem there is the lawyers have used many of these laws to of these laws to assist idiots in eliminating and personal responsibility! How many laws are there that have been generated because some idiot did something with as product that they should not have? These idiots and the god forsaken lawyers that back them up are why we have warnign stickers on our bike saying things like do not stuff things in your fairings and my truck has a sticker telling me that it drives different than a car.

[wookie]

In general, I'm a fairly politically liberal person, meaning I believe it's everyone's God-given right to do whatever she/he wants, AS LONG AS it does not affect or hurt others, be it drugs, prostitution, gun ownership, etc.

Same goes for helmet. I think if a person doesn't want to wear seat belts or helmet, that's his/her choice. But if he/she gets hurt, he/she would more likely incur a higher medical care cost than a rider wearing helmet. Paying for someone else's medical cost (whether it's insurance premium or tax) is bad; paying for someone else's medical cost is even worse if that person deliberately does something to exacerbate the injury, like drugs, not wearing helmet, STD, etc.

And since many people don't have the common sense on what's the right thing to do, like wearing helmet, like locking up the guns so that teenage hot-head can't get to it, like don't f-ing drink a 6-pack and drive, that's why there are so many laws.... I suppose it's a necessary evil.