Why it is not your choice.

4/29/2009

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Helmet Laws Save Lives - According to the Brain Injury Association of America, head injury is a leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. Motorcycle helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing motorcyclist deaths and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries. An additional 800 lives could have been saved had every motorcyclist worn a helmet in 2007. Fiscal Responsibility - Riders who do not wear helmets have higher health care costs as a result of their crash injuries and nearly half lack private insurance. The financial burden for treatment and care of uninsured motorcycle crash victims is placed on the government and taxpayers. In 2005, Maryland estimated that a repeal of its all-rider helmet law would increase Medicaid expenditures by $1.2 million in the first year and annually up to $1.5 million thereafter. Fatalities and Injuries are Climbing - In 2007, 5,154 motorcycle riders died in crashes, and over 100,000 were injured. Motorcycle fatalities are at their highest level in 20 years, and now account for 13 percent of all annual fatalities, even though motorcycles represent nearly 3 percent of all registered vehicles and accounted for only 0.4 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. The Public Overwhelmingly Supports Helmet Laws - According to a motor vehicle occupant survey conducted by NHTSA, 81 percent reported that they favored mandatory helmet use laws for motorcyclists. A 2004 Lou Harris poll commissioned by Advocates yielded the same results.

Posted by ABATE Member at 8:37 PM

its our choice

4/28/2009

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I live in Florida and I see the riders who are in crashes die , not from head injuries but from internal injuries,,,the media always says the rider was not wearing a helment,,there are more die that wear helments than there are that don't,,,I think we should have the right to choose,,I wear an orange vest but that is my choice also,,I don't think that should be mandatory either,,

Posted by Slick Rick at 10:28 PM

Make sure Grandma knows you are near

4/27/2009

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I think that it should be a law for all bikes to have loud pipes. This way motorists know you are near. Loud pipes save lives!!!

Posted by Joe at 4:39 PM

not wearing helmets cost too much

4/27/2009

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The people who do survive serious motorcycle accidents, if they are lucky, wind up on social security disability because they become vegetables. In the very serious accidents, the organs are so damaged that they are not even good enough for transplant donations. I am sick and tired of them complaining about lack of rights. I work in an ER that handles tramua and have seen what happens. Motorcycles should be banned if I had my way. On my way to work in Atlanta, all too often I see motorcycle drivers weaving in and out of traffic acting recklessly. Quit your moaning and complaining and wear proper gear. That way, if I see you come into my ER, you will have a chance at walking out alive.

Posted by jaded at 3:49 PM

Right to choose???

4/27/2009

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Stop hiding behind the freedom of choice farse. You having the choice to ride without a helmet is is like saying we should not have to wear seatbelts in a car. If ABATE is Active Towards Education, what is your message here...it is OK to be stupid. By the way, loud pipes don't save lives. MC drivers driving defensively saves lives. Pay attention, slow down, drive sober, & wear your freaking DOT/Snell helment. Do it for your family and friends. There may actually be people that love you.

Posted by ABATE member at 9:08 AM

Your Head, Your Choice

4/27/2009

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The measure of how free a country is can be determined by to what degree it allows stupid people to make stupid decisions that affect only themselves. Just like adult seat belt laws, motorcycle helmet laws should be abolished. They serve no legal purpose. Riders who value their safety will continue to weat them. Riders who don't won't and probably won't live to pass on their stupid gene to the next generation. If you are worried about the cleanup, then require them to purchase a special "cleanup" insurance that will foot the bill in case of an accident.

Posted by CDog at 8:58 AM

It's not your safety I'm worried about

4/27/2009

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It's the safety of those you're on the road with. One big bug or small rock in the middle of the forehead at speed and you are no longer a "rider exercising his rights", you're a 1,000 lb unguided missile on the same stretch of road as my wife & kids. Wear the freaking helmet, bozo. And yes, I'm a rider too.

Posted by Just me at 8:12 AM

Pretty face

4/26/2009

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Wearing a helmet with shorts, t-shirt and Jesus sandals. At least your mug will be saved. It's about choice - let those that ride decide !!

Posted by Fred at 11:51 AM

Blink to Live

4/26/2009

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The only thing drivers have time to look twice at is who's calling their cell phone. An $80 headlight modulator is 100% more effective in saving lives than a warm and fuzzy slogan. Over half of all motorcycle accidents are caused by the other driver didn't SEE the motorcycle, and kill 2 out of every 3 dead bikers each year (NHTSA/IIHS statistics), I'll take that modulator over a slogan, any day! Live to ride. Blink to live!

Posted by Terry Bennington at 9:58 AM

No Helmet No Brain--Public Subsidy

4/26/2009

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Educating the public and public safety officers about motorcycling and traffic safety is always good. Credibility is shattered when you say that while enjoying the privilege of riding on public roads that you have a 'right' to ride with no helmet. The public has enough costs from stupid drivers, and since the organs aren't auctioned from wreck victims, inviting injury and death from riding without a helmet just shifts costs to others. And, when Jeb allowed Florida to drop helmets (rocketing up deaths and making more Terry Schiavos to grandstand around), he more than doubled insurance costs on the rest of the riding community. Be a leader and show new riders that gear matters. We pros know--tankinis and beanie caps are no match for asphalt. Now, about those loud pipes...

Posted by Experienced Rider at 9:27 AM

Just like some car drivers

4/26/2009

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Just like some car drivers some motorcyclist are very dangerous drivers too. I saw 2 the other day just weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed. I think the red light is going to get somebody hurt. Heck even trained public safety can't always get that one right.

Posted by C at 8:01 AM

helmets

4/25/2009

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As much as there is to like about ABATE, we do need to keep the helmet law. They do save lives. One saved my face. Nuff said.

Posted by hiker / biker at 9:35 PM