Cycle deaths up since helmet law lifted

Miami Herald ^ | 8/8/05 | Lesley Clark

[longtermmemmory]

The helmet standard FMVSS 218 which is what ALL helmets must follow (snell is legally irrelevant), ONLY goes to 15 mph. Thus a helmet is only designed for movement below that speed.

Still CHOOSE to wear it BUT it is information to consider.

[TChris]

I agree with you about 60%. Maybe we could set up a system where people who want to eliminate all the "nanny state" laws regarding helmets/seat belts agree to absorb the higher taxes and insurance premiums caused by the hopsitalization and deaths of idiots who insist on their choice not to wear them.

That's a dangerous principle to enshrine into law. Outlawing activities because they are dangerous to the adult participant's safety can only result in massive Government interference over the long run. If we accept that these laws are OK because of decreased insurance costs, then requiring a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and daily exercise can't be far behind. After all, heart disease is still a much bigger killer than motorcycle-associated head injuries. The logic you apply to helmet laws equally supports government-mandated health laws too.

How about these "insurance cost reducing" laws?

---

1. Every person must wear wrist-length and ankle-length clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and full-coverage shoes at all times outdoors. This will greatly reduce the occurance of skin cancer.
2. No person shall use the following dangerous items: Playground slides, swings and merry-go-rounds; trampolines; boxing gloves; bicycles; skateboards; roller-skates. This will dramatically reduce childhood accidents.
3. Five-gallon buckets are prohibited. Toddlers can drown in them.
4. No person shall consume more than 2000 calories perday for men, 1500 calories per day for women. Exceptions to this limit will be considered upon application for a high-calorie permit. The application must be accompanied by a written authorization from the applicant's physician, explaining the medical necessity of the increased consumption.
5. No person shall have a waist size larger than 36 inches for men, 32 inches for women. Overweight people cost LOTS of insurance $$.
6. Hostess and Little Debbies are hereby ordered to cease all further operations. It shall be a class A misdemeanor for any person to bake cakes or cookies privately. Birthday parties are hereby banned. This is all just junk food that harms people's health.
7. etc..

Every one of those fulfills your criteria for a good nanny-state law.

[Hank Rearden]

I wouldn't personally be caught dead on a motorcycle

How sad for you.

We're all going to be caught dead, someplace, sometime. My motorcycles make the ride to that destination a helluva lot more fun. Over 120,000 miles on them so far, no accidents.

[superiorslots]

Quote: They ignore the fact that motorcycle and scooter sales are way, way up



You beat me to it. I live in a semi rural area. 10 years ago there was 2-3 bike shops. Today there are 8-9.
Especially with all th bike shows on TV there is way more interest.

[SFC Chromey]

invalid argument considering the much larger dollar amounts paid to those with head injuries in car accidents. Dr Harry Hurt already debunked that one about 20+ years ago.

[Gone GF]

"Ditto if he was drinking, playing softball, running walking... Lets outlaw everything! / sarc "

First, I personally think that if a person is fool enough to ride without a helmet (or fool enough to ride a motorcycle at all), her or she should be allowed to do.

Nonetheless, your comment makes no sense. Nobody is outlawing motorcycle riding at all -- just motorcycle riding without a helmet. A more apt analogy might be running down the middle of an interstate, playing softball with live handgrenades, or drinking heavily and driving, all of which ARE outlawed.

[Enterprise]

"Your chances of getting a healthy organ donation are much higher in states without helmut laws."

"Livers and Kidneys and Hearts, Oh MY!"

[stuartcr]

But it so stinky hot, sitting in traffic, with all the engine heat and road heat, in August, that I don't see how anyone can ride in FL, except in the winter.

[longtermmemmory]

The fastest selling class is the rice rockets.

Those are dominated by the younger less experience riders.

The also use the full face helmets as fashion accessories. in a sudden stop, the full face helmet WILL snap your neck like a noose.

[longtermmemmory]

Riding year round is fantastic.

If you rode you would understand.

The cool night air, the beach, even the sunny days make it a rider's paradise IF you choose to see it.

[GovernmentShrinker]

What we ought to be complaining about is the fact that taxpayers' money and overregulated insurance companies' money (read policyholders' money) is being spent on medical treatment for these idiots.

[The Red Zone]

Yeh some people ride like idiots.

[mercy]

Anybody willing to sign a Do Not Resuscitate Order should be allowed to ride without a helmet.

[Fierce Allegiance]

but a helmet will get ya killed!

Please explain this one.

[Wuli]

The absence of the law just shows how many stupid motorbike riders there are in Florida. The deaths are due to some persons own choices and everyone else's liberty has not been constrained by those who made those the bad choices.

I used to have both street bikes and off-road bikes and even without a legal requirement I would never ride without a helmut.

Yet, I hate all nanny-state laws that try to protect people from their own self-inflicted "crimes".

[John D]

Why not force people ridding in cars to wear a helmet. That would also lower hospital costs. It is just easier to pick on one small group. I pay my own insurance, and if I decide I want to ride without a helmet I feel I should be allowed to.

[GovernmentShrinker]

By repealing the law, all the government did was say to adults, "Use your own judgement."

Trouble is, under the current state of affairs, it simultaneously said "And if your poor judgment leaves you critically injured, we'll force other people to pay your medical bills."

[Rakkasan1]

that's sarcasm my friend. (forgot to add my sarcasm tag)

[stuartcr]

I used to ride a Norton, and I was miserable. It's misery at every stoplite, and slick as grease when it rains. I did choose to see it...then I realised that I couldn't see it anymore because I couldn't dodge all the lovebugs

[ran15]

Bravo to Florida. Its very rare that you hear of a government reversing some law that takes away personal freedom.