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Motorcycle helmet law advocates say rising Florida deaths prove need
Tampa Bay Times ^ | 04/18/2014

Posted on 04/26/2014 2:51:15 PM PDT by Decombobulator

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1 posted on 04/26/2014 2:51:15 PM PDT by Decombobulator
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To: Decombobulator

It’s ironic that the next later thread than this one is about Ann Coulter relating a death due to Obamacare. If identifiable deaths indicate the need for a change in law, than Obamacare should go. On the other hand, if Obamacare shouldn’t go, because somehow those deaths don’t count, then there shouldn’t be a helmet law. But, perhaps the real difference is that deaths due to person freedom count, and demand increased government power, while deaths due to diminished freedom do *not* count, and do *not* demand decreased government power.


2 posted on 04/26/2014 2:56:31 PM PDT by coloradan (The US has become a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
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To: Decombobulator

My personal risk/safety decisions are NOT the business of government! My use or lack of a helmet does NOTHING to endanger the welfare or rights of others, thus government rules are not required (nor welcome). As we allow more of this nanny-state garbage to continue, they will start telling us how to eat, where to travel, and when to work. The effeminization of America continues to lead it down the path of security-over-liberty... leading to less of both in all cases.


3 posted on 04/26/2014 2:56:56 PM PDT by Teacher317 (We have now sunk to a depth at which restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men)
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To: Decombobulator
I need a law to compel me to don a motorcycle helmet as much as I need one to wear a seatbelt in an auto . . .

If knuckleheads are so reckless as to ignore basic safety, that is their choice.

Keep the FL law as is.

4 posted on 04/26/2014 3:02:21 PM PDT by Jacquerie (It is the duty of state legislators to invoke Article V.)
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To: Teacher317
My personal risk/safety decisions are NOT the business of government!

Darwin award!

5 posted on 04/26/2014 3:02:40 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is evil and must be eradicated)
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To: Decombobulator

I always ride with a helmet. Seems every other time I ride, something bounces off it, usually a rock. It’s really easy to imagine losing control from a painful enough hit or even a bug in the eye. That being said, it is a drag to wear one when the temp is above 80. Still, safety and control are non negotiable to me.


6 posted on 04/26/2014 3:03:19 PM PDT by rbg81
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To: Decombobulator
I know I'm gonna get slammed here but I don't give a rat's hindquarters.I've seen more death...more *violent*,*premature* death than most people apart from members of the military.I worked in a major hospital's ER for 20 years.And guess what,boys and girls...ER workers *do* refer to motorcycles as "donor cycles".

That being said...I have no problem with states that don't have helmet laws *****if***** those states stipulate that not a *penny* of government $$$ will be spent for the care of those who wind up on a respirator for 10 years because they weren't wearing a helmet.Also,the law would have to stipulate that no private insurance company would be required to cover a penny for such care and no hospital would be required to treat such a person once "brain death" is established.

7 posted on 04/26/2014 3:03:46 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Stalin Blamed The Kulaks,Obama Blames The Tea Party)
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To: Teacher317

The article studiously avoids the RATE of deaths. If the number of motorcycle miles quadrupled, triple the deaths would be an improvement - but in pursuit of their nanny state goals they want to make sure we’re kept in the dark.


8 posted on 04/26/2014 3:04:02 PM PDT by mvpel
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To: Decombobulator

The number of busy body, nanny staters is on the rise in this country. Now that the majority of people in this country no longer have to work for a living thanks to ObamaCare, they spend all of their free time sticking their big noses in everybody else’s business.


9 posted on 04/26/2014 3:04:13 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Obama's smidgens are coming home to roost.)
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To: Teacher317

I notice Harley riders don’t usually need helmets like the guys who ride “ricers”. They do wear bandanas to help keep the skull fragments together. :)

Ride safe friend.


10 posted on 04/26/2014 3:06:32 PM PDT by Dalberg-Acton
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To: Dalberg-Acton

Kinda reverse of Darwin’s survival of the fittest at work, if one is stupid enough to ride a motorcycle w/o a helmet. I ALWAYS had a full face top-of-the-line Bell helmet.


11 posted on 04/26/2014 3:09:21 PM PDT by bicyclerepair (The zombies here elected alcee hastings. TERM LIMITS ... TERM LIMITS)
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To: Gay State Conservative

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448295/

Controlled for registrations, the raw count overstates the helmet law repeal impact by more than double.


12 posted on 04/26/2014 3:10:01 PM PDT by mvpel
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To: Decombobulator

IF cyclists want to drive around without helmets, let em. I just hope they don’t expect that the rest of us pick up their enormous medical tabs trying to save them. I think if no helmet, and you cave your head in, we don’t do extraordinary steps to save your life. It obviously wasn’t important enough to the cyclist to use a safety device. Why we all have to spend hundreds of thousands on a person who wouldn’t even put on a $100 helmet as a preventative measure, is beyond me.

They didn’t value their life. Why must all the rest pay for a life they didn’t care enough about?

The cyclists around me drive like maniacs going faster than the flow, weaving in and out of lanes like they’re some piece of hot sh1t. and they don’t care if the cars behind them have to break b/c of it. many don’t give two craps about what they are doing to others on the road b/c they believe they’re always right and if there’s an accident they’re always right on a bike.


13 posted on 04/26/2014 3:13:03 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Decombobulator

I used to live in Tampa back in the late 80’s early 90’s, before they changed the law. It was funny to see the “Bikers” riding their hogs with German Kaiser helmets.

Oh yea, that’s safe.

Sure I know a lot of them are into the whole Nazi thing. But still, they met the letter of the law by wearing a steel helmet from 100 years ago with a metal spike sticking out the top.

I ride. Have since 1980. 99% of the time I wear a helmet, a very nice and expensive Simpson. But there’s that 1% of the time where I like the freedom to go without. My head, my life, my choice. I know the risks, and I don’t get crazy when I’m sans helmet. It’s usually a cool down cruise after finishing up yard work, or a lazy ride through the hood on a pleasant afternoon or evening.


14 posted on 04/26/2014 3:14:08 PM PDT by AFreeBird
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To: Dalberg-Acton
I notice Harley riders don’t usually need helmets like the guys who ride “ricers”.

What's weird is the Harley riders will have a bandana on their head, but full leathers and good boots. The squids are running around with $500 full-face helmets, paired with gym shorts and tennis shoes.

15 posted on 04/26/2014 3:15:55 PM PDT by tacticalogic
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To: mvpel
Controlled for registrations, the raw count overstates the helmet law repeal impact by more than double.

I repeat...I have no trouble with states that have no helmet laws.But these states *must* assure that knuckleheads who don't wear them get *nothing* from government,private insurance companies or free care from hospitals.Oh,and I forgot to mention...not a nickel from lawsuits against other drivers,motorcycle makers,tire makers,etc,etc,etc.

16 posted on 04/26/2014 3:16:56 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Stalin Blamed The Kulaks,Obama Blames The Tea Party)
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To: Decombobulator

If you want to wear a helmet in Florida you may. No one is stopping you. You will not be stopped and ticketed for wearing a helmet. Now, what’s the b!tch?


17 posted on 04/26/2014 3:17:51 PM PDT by RetiredTexasVet (Watching MSM news readers pimping His Arrogance is like watching a dog eat its own vomit!)
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To: Decombobulator

So to keep everyone safe, then also mandatory helmets for all athletes, mandatory knee and shoulder pads for all ballet dancers, etc. etc.

After all, if I can not make my own decisions regarding my own personal safety, then neither can they.


18 posted on 04/26/2014 3:19:35 PM PDT by zencycler
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To: Decombobulator

Good thing men like Orville and Wilbur Wright didn’t take chances with their personal safety to do something they loved.


19 posted on 04/26/2014 3:20:41 PM PDT by tacticalogic
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To: Decombobulator

Living in Florida I find it strange I can get a seatbeat violation for not bhckling up, but can ride a bike without a helmet....

Spilt the baby....must wear a helmet until you have ridden for two years or more...


20 posted on 04/26/2014 3:27:34 PM PDT by Popman ("Resistance to Tyrants is Obedience to God" - Thomas Jefferson)
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