Motorcycles and helmets

[Dr. Jack]

I responded to the Ben thread with this but thought it's own discussion might be good.

People who ride motorcycles MUST wear helmets. It;s not only about themselves.

What happens to the poor driver who hits the idiot on a motorcycle and the guy dies simply because he did not wear a helmet. Why should someone have to live with that? It's a ridiculous law. There is no excuses for not wearing a helmet. JMO

Thoughts?

[dhunter]

I agree. It's a law here in Cali and it should be a nationwide law. Motorcycles are dangerous, if seatbelts are required for people driving cars then helmets should be required for motorcyclists.

[jaypasco]

did you guys see on mike and mike where the police reports said big bens head made indentation in roof of the car?

[mrwho]

I thought of this quote reading this:

"I'm desperately trying to figure out why kamikaze pilots wore helmets."

[domafia]

Helmets should be required on all public roads just as seat belts are. If you want to ride without a helmet then have fun doing laps in some private parking lot. Public roads have laws that need to be followed for EVERYONE'S safety, not just your own.

[Victor]

Here in Texas you do not have to wear a helmet. Whenever i ride a motorcyle i always put on a helmet. Alot of people say they are good riders. Maybe so i tell them but you have to look out for the people driving the cars, trucks, etc. It is hard to see a motorcycle at times on the road. It is always better to be safe then sorry.

[Bobtheicon]

My $0.02 - those brain bucket helmets aren't much better than no helmet at all. I prefer the full face, and I'm sure Ben's face would have too. He'd still have most of the same injuries even if he wore a brain bucket helmet.

[Bobtheicon]

You know, its always fun to argue the other side (yes, I am the Devil's Advocate):

There is NO discernible difference in motorcycle accident or fatality rates between states with mandatory helmet laws and those which allow for freedom of choice. In fact, states which support voluntary use routinely achieve accident and fatality rates equal to or lower than states with mandatory helmet laws for all riders. (American Motorcycle Association, 1995)

Helmets are minimally effective in preventing most injuries. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report to Congress, the CODES Study, 1995)

There are no appreciable differences found relative to fatality rate, severity of injury, hospital stay, and discharge status between motorcycle accident victims who wore helmets and those who did not. (Arizona's Governor's Office of Highway Safety Study, 1990)

Relative to the number of registered motorcycles, states with mandatory helmet laws had 12.5% more accidents and 2.3% more fatalities than free choice states for the 14 year period 1977-90. (Accident and Fatality Statistics, analyzed by A.R. Mackenzie, M.D.)

"It is concluded that: 1) motorcycle helmets have no significant effect on probability of fatality; and 2) past a critical impact speed, helmets increase the severity of neck injuries." (Dr. Jonathan Goldstein, Bowdoin College)

The Cost Issue or "Public Burden Theory":

Helmet use is not associated with overall injury severity, discharge status, or insurance status. (University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, June 1992).

Injured motorcycle operators admitted to trauma centers had lower injury severity scores compared to other road trauma victims. They accrued lower hospital charges. They were less likely to rely on Medicaid and Medicare, and they had about the same level of commercial or private insurance as other road trauma victims. (University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, June, 1992)

The average inpatient charge for a helmeted motorcyclist receiving a brain injury was equal to that of an unhelmeted motorcyclist receiving a brain injury. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report to Congress, the CODES Study, 1995)

The average inpatient charge for a helmeted motorcyclist not receiving a brain injury was approximately $1,000 more than that of an unhelmeted motorcyclist not receiving a brain injury. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report to Congress, the CODES study, 1995)

Helmet use has no impact on the cost of injury after it has occurred. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report to Congress, the CODES study, 1995)

Motorcyclists are no more dependent upon public sources for medical costs than other motor vehicle operators. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report to Congress, the CODES study, 1995) According to the Tennessee Department of Health’s own number for the year 2001 18.95% of the time a Motorcyclist will rely on TennCare Dollars but 21.90% of the time an Automobile driver or passenger will rely on TennCare. Motorcyclists rely even less on Medicare dollars. Motorcyclists are relying less on TennCare and Medicare already then the average motorist.

[Steel]

I ride and always wear a helmet. I do have friends who say they get in the way and block vision. They make you wear helmets in California but the helmets we all wear are just on the top of the head and have no face mask or chin guard. Remember that helmets keep some riders from dieing but make them sit in a chair and slobber on good days. Most riders know that when you ride a bike your taking your life in your own hands. I feel sorry for anyone whoever runs over a bike and kills someone but that can happen with a helmet on as well as with out a helmet on. Ben is proof of that. Will not ride with out a helmet ever but their is two sides to every story.

[Kramer]

I Think this pretty much sums it up :

http://www.thehistoryof.net/the-hist...e-helmets.html