Motorcycle helmets

[yendi]

1. I'm generally opposed to mandatory helmet laws for adults, on the grounds that adults can make their own choices.

2. That said, anyone who rides without a helmet is begging to help out the gene pool.

Comments

[featheredfrog.livejournal.com]

We called 'em "Organ Donors"

[taraljc.livejournal.com]

Here in Chicago, we call 'em "donor bikes" and use 'em for PARTS.

[marajs.livejournal.com]

Although I do wear my seat belt by choice, I'm also opposed to laws mandating use. It should be a conscious decision on the part of the driver, not a government regulation.

[captain18.livejournal.com]

I agree with this on paper, my only lingering concern is that I'm not particularly interested in the possibility of my money (in the form of taxes or health insurance premiumus) ultimately subsidizing someone who turned themselves into a vegetable by being stupid on a bike -- motorized or not.

[magenta-girl.livejournal.com]

I agree with you 100%! (This is when I wish Livejournal had a 'like' button)

[yendi]

I do have concerns about that, but I see that as an indicator of another problem that needs fixing (the healthcare system) than anything else. Mind you, I'm still a big advocate of health-related education about the dangers of not using a helmet (for the same reason I approve of education around healthy eating and avoiding smoking), but keeping the health care costs down by forceful fiat just criminalized stupidity.

[captain18.livejournal.com]

Well, again, on paper I totally agree. I just don't see our political system fixing this type of thing properly so I ultimately feel like the current nowhere-near-perfect result is better than other likely-to-emerge alternatives.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

Yes, this.

[rosefox]

I'm in favor of mandatory helmet and seat belt laws because they reduce the odds of the other party in an accident feeling like a murderer.

[matt_doyle]

My flippant opinion is usually that there should be a tax on motorcycles that would go to the cost of trauma care and long-term care for severe cranial injuries. Wear a helmet and you get a tax credit.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

My feeling is that you ought to be allowed to opt out of mandatory helmet laws if you are an organ donor.

[not-hothead-yet.livejournal.com]

1) some jackass who isn't wearing a helmet affects whoever comes into contact with said jackass and THEY are the ones who have to live the rest of their lives seeing said jackasses brains splattered all over their car. As opposed to seeing said cyclist get up and walk away.

2) the family members of jackasses who won't wear helmets are the ones who suffer most. They have no say in whether or not they get left behind with a dead member whose insurance now will pay them ZERO because jackass wasn't wearing a helmet. I'd divorce my husband in a heartbeat if he didn't wear a helmet or gear. For real.

3) not wearing a helmet is a horrible thing to show off to kids on the roads. Yes the rider has made a personal decision and he's showing it to the world. Unless the only kids who see him see him later splattered all over the road, they will see people like that and think "ooo cool!" and then we have MORE jackasses going without helmets. You can ride a motorcycle at 16. Do you really want to trust 16yr olds to make that choice when plenty of grown adults won't do it?

4) the type of jackass who won't wear a helmet is precisely the same type of jackass who will do stupid and dangerous maneuvers in traffic. Clearly they believe they are speshul snoflake invincible. You really want to drive on the same roads as them?

[fjm.livejournal.com]

1) That was the point I was going to make. Horribly traumatizing for the person at the other end. And in certain circumstances could turn a "death from dangerous driving" charge into a "causing death by dangerous driving".

[ioianthe.livejournal.com]

I've spoken to a few of my dad's biker friends who say they don't like helmet laws because they'd rather die than suffer some sort of paralysis. (I don't know that I agree, but it is an interesting position)