Posted on 10/27/2006 12:26:01 PM PDT by BraveMan
A total of 4,553 motorcyclists died in traffic accidents last year in the United States, but more than 700 of them would have lived if they had been wearing helmets, Mary E. Peters, the new U.S. transportation secretary, said Thursday in Milwaukee.
Peters, during a visit to the Harley-Davidson plant in Milwaukee, talked about the "alarming rise" in fatalities and injuries involving motorcyclists since 1997.
Peters, an ardent motorcyclist, said she will "never, ever ride without a helmet."
She said a helmet last year saved her from more serious injuries in an accident in which she hit her husband's motorcycle and suffered a broken collarbone.
She does not, however, think that the federal government should order mandatory helmet use.
"We don't believe that it's up to the federal government to mandate helmets," she said, adding that was something for the individual states to decide.
She deplored that only about 58% of motorcyclists wear helmets today, down from 71% from 2000, according to surveys.
She urged motorcyclists to wear helmets and protective gear, drive sober and take classes on safe motorcycling.
Motorcyclists make up 2% of the vehicles on the road, yet last year they accounted for more than 10% of the fatalities, she said. About 40% of motorcyclists who were involved in accidents had been drinking, she added.
In 1997, traffic accidents killed 2,116 motorcyclists, and that increased to 4,553 fatalities last year, a 115% increase in deaths. Peters said the number of registered motorcycles had risen from 1997 to 2005 but said the frequency of accidents per 1 million miles driven also had grown significantly.
"Cyclists have a lot of responsibility to take care of themselves," she said, but motorists also have to do a better job of sharing the road with motorcycles.
Peters commended Harley-Davidson Inc. for its efforts in motorcycle safety programs and cycle maintenance.
On Sept. 30, the U.S. Senate confirmed Peters' appointment, and the Harley-Davidson tour was her first public event since she was sworn in. Nicole Nason, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, also took the tour.
They visited what is called Harley-Davidson University, where the 660 dealerships in the United States that sell Harley-Davidson motorcycles learn how better to service the vehicles.
Perhaps after augering into her husband and breaking a collarbone she should consider another rider training course.
Hooligan ping . . .
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I guess she's never seen the way some of those "cyclists" drive. Motorists are lucky to get out of their way.
I don't believe it's up to any government of a free people, for helmets or seatbelts. I don't ride, but I've been wearing my seatbelt 100% of the time, even before there were seatbelt laws. It's my choice to be safe.
A law that requires riders to wear helmets is stupid.
When in doubt, err on the side of liberty.
Nanny-state RINO's have a new Nanny......bitchin!!!!
personal freedom is going fast....watch it....watch it.
its almost gone!
South Dakota site of the annual Sturgis rally
The half-dozen or so that died around here were of a degree that the helmet wouldn't have mattered.
But a wife of one, and a couple who got rearended at a stop light owe their lives to helmets.
I still agree it's a choice, though
Well...I ALWAYS wear my helmet. But then again, I don't ride a cruiser. I have a ZX12R ninja, and drive like a freaking maniac! So, it's prudent.
ZX12R ninja??
you need to relax...get a real bike....sit up straight and ride like a man. the power will be there if you need it, but whats your hurry.
Indiana does. Or if they don't, most riders are breaking the law.
You are an animal! I had a ride on the back of a zx-10r a few weeks ago. I only made it to 2nd gear (120) before I indicated I had enough. I think the wheelie was worse than the speed!
Seatbelt and helmet laws are the result of a the powerful insurance lobby. They lower their costs.
Green= No Law Yellow= Under 18 Orange= Under 21 Red= Everyone
"you need to relax...get a real bike....sit up straight and ride like a man. the power will be there if you need it, but whats your hurry."
Sorry, buddy. There is just no substitute for 0 to 100 in 5.4 Really get's the adrenaline going. And the expression on people's faces when you pass at 90 on the real wheel, is priceless.
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