Motorcycle Riders Only - Question About Wearing Helmets / Helmet Laws?

Question

To be blunt...I just, flat out, do not understand why anyone riding a motorcycle feels that helmet laws are somehow unfair. To me, it's a common sense kind of issue. You wear a helmet to keep your face from getting peeled in the event of a slide, or better yet, to keep your head from exploding like a strawberry if you get thrown.

With the exception of a few baby boomers, I think most everyone agrees that wearing a seatbelt is a smart move, and almost all states require occupants of automobiles to wear them. So why not require bikers to wear helmets. Helmets HAVE and DO save lives. So, what are the arguments against helmet laws? Why are some riders adamant that they shouldn't have to wear helmets?

Serious answers only...no children talking about how they hate wearing helmets while riding their bicycles (you're underage...get used to it).

I'm sorry dexter_c....but not all states require helmets.

http://www.saferoads.org/issues/fs-helmets.htm

Cool...some really good answers.

I'd also like to qualify the statement about baby boomers. The only people I have ever seen / known to have a problem wearing seatbelts in cars, and who have actually argued against them, are baby boomers...and that statement was just based upon my experience along the east coast...no offense was intended.

Supplemental Question to the original:

For those of you that feel it should be a choice left to the individual, and not regulated by the government...do you think its fair that current law allows the family of a motorcycle crash victim to sue the driver of the other vehicle for wrongful death, etc. in cases where cause was either dual fault or no fault, and a helmet could have saved the victim's life?

Answer 1

The problem with a helmet law is that by having one, the government gets out of having to educate vehicle drivers how to coexist on the roads with motorcycles. In michigan, there is very little mention in drivers education, and even on the drivers liscense test about dealing with motorcycles on the road. People in cars do not know how to look for us on bikes, nor are they able to proberly apply right of way rules because they don't know. Its been my personal experience that in states with out helmet laws, cars give bikes the same respect they'd give another car. That is not the case in Michigan.

I don't like to wear a helmet, and yes, when I cross the Ohio border I stop and take mine off. When I ride in Michigan, I wear a "beanie" type helmet. I wear a helmet like this because, when I first started riding I was wearing a regular full helmet and I felt very uncomfortable with the lack of peripheal vision I had. Helmets are ineffective above 15 miles per hour, because it is not your skull cracking that hurts you. The sudden stop at the end causes your brain to slap against the inside of your skull. This bruises your brain, and brain matter does not heal. This is the cause of brain injuries. A helmet won't stop that. So other than making someone who hits me feel better about it due to a little less blood, I really don't see any need to wear one any more protective than the one I wear.

Now, some common sense must apply as well. On a bike you must protect your eyes...a rock, or worse a bug can blind you at 70 going down the freeway. Obviously if you can't see you are in trouble. The same applies for your head. I usually wear something at higher speeds, just because you never know when a car will kick up a rock, and it will hurt. So sure, its wise to wear head protection at times. Do I need a darth vader mask? Naw, I don't think so, nor do I think that a bunch of stodgy, old man politicians and a wart faced canadian broad have any business telling me I have to. (if you're not from michigan, our governor is canadian.)

No, I don't like seat belts either. I don't have a good arguement for that, I just don't like feeling restrained when I'm driving. I do agree that keeping me from flying through the windshield in an accident is a good thing. I'm just curious why the school bus that my kids ride in doesn't have seat belts?

I am 39 years old, and have been riding for 10 years.

Answer 2

Yes, helmets save lives... but not wearing one is a risk that a biker takes. Bikers take risks. If they didn't, they prob would not ride motorcycles. If you are an experienced rider, riding in 90 degree weather, you may CHOOSE NOT to wear a helmet. Women CHOOSE to KILL fetuses (and THAT is legal), so why shouldn't riders CHOOSE to RISK their OWN lives?! I see no reason laws should interfere with this.

Now for your question... "do you think its fair that current law allows the family of a motorcycle crash victim to sue the driver of the other vehicle for wrongful death, etc. in cases where cause was either dual fault or no fault, and a helmet could have saved the victim's life?" ...

A court would decide who was at fault. If the DRIVER of a car or truck was at fault for CAUSING the accident... it does not matter if the rider was wearing a helmet or not. The helmet issue is irrelivent. Furthermore, DRIVERS are more protected on the road than bikers... even bikers who wear helmets. The family of a dead biker SHOULD take the case to court and sue if they can. Dual fault for example, a car hit a helmet-less biker that was riding ON the line in a turn... It's tough to say, but I don't think it's wrong fot the family to TRY TO SUE... let the court decide... and finally, a "No fault" accident would result in no money for the family, naturally. Helmets can protect bikers, but so can laws. AMA is working on it.

Answer 3

My husband and I both wear helmets at all times. So it wouldn't bother me much if Wisconsin went with a helmet law. But....

I just hate being told what to do! Especially when it's for my own good. I'm an adult and I SHOULD be able to make my own decisions. If I choose to be a moron and get myself killed, that's my business. Family and friends may not like it, but tough titties. It's MY life to spend or throw away as I choose.

I also don't buy into the argument that bike accidents have had a significant effect on rising health care costs. I've never seen any statistics to support that.

To me, it's just more government interference. Every inch they're given, they take a mile. It worries me to see "them" sticking their nose into our personal business. What will be next?

So that's my argument against it. I do think everyone should wear them, but I don't think they should HAVE to.
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In answer to your addendum: I believe it would be difficult, if not impossible, to prove that a helmet would have saved a life. Even in a case where the head wounds are very serious, there can be other injuries which may be equally life threatening. I'm no coroner, but I believe proving cause of death in this type of scenario can be difficult.

I'd swear I've read something on this topic, but I have no idea where. It's always best to cite your sources, but in this case I can't.

If anyone wanted to rebut my statement with, "if a helmet wouldn't save your life in some cases, why bother?" My answer to that would be that it's not always a case of life or death; sometimes you just want to keep skin on your face.

Answer 4

As an adult I'd appreciate the opportunity to make my own decision. I don't need someone telling me what's good for me. I don't wear seat belts and I took my helmet off as soon as I crossed over the PA border from NJ. And an FYI regarding your full-face helmet comment: many people only wear turtle shell helmets which has no face protection. Since I've been married (2 years) I sold all of my bikes because, even with a helmet, they are still relatively unsafe and I'd like to have a better chance at being around for my family. To still have my kinda fun, I'm rebuilding a 1984 KXT (3 wheeler) and I will wear a helmet for my family, not the state (laws).

Answer 5

I think that it really should be up to the rider. I ride and i almost always wear a helmet. mainly to keep from hitting those june bugs at 90mph. helmets do save lives, but there are instances where they have killed people. the weight of a helmet can cause a persons neck to snap if they hit the ditch head first or roll. not to say that they would have lived otherwise but i think you get my point. no i think america is too sue happy and are looking for any way to make easy money even from the death of a family member

Answer 6

Only a complete IDIOT would ride without a helmet. I've been riding for over 15 years. About three years ago I had serious accident at about 30 MPH. A Chevy Suburban pulled out infront of me with no warning. I hit the rear drivers door. My helmet left a very distinct impression in the door. Better that than my head. My 6 month old ZX7 was totaled! Always wear ALL safety equipment. I ride with a leather jacket, kevlar reinforced jeans, kevlar reinforced gloves, high boots, a helmet (full face), and I always make sure that when riding at night, I have 3M reflective materials on. It only makes sense. If you live longer, you ride longer.

Answer 7

The one thing about the helmet is that it doesn't protect the neck with the added weight of a helmet spinal-column problems are the number one injury. a helmet would be fine if it didn't protect one area and injure another area in the body. And the government really needs to start regulating the helmets itself, it being bell which is self regulated is not a good ideal. Also helmets are all different weights and each style has a different blind spot.

Answer 8

Age is irrelevent.
We def do have too many laws and maybe sometimes the government does treat us like morons - but that's not totally without reason. I mean, just look at this website...there are people asking about medical advice, marital ideas, existence of God,.... C'mon. Helmets are kind of a pain to carry around or deal with but so is a brother or friend who has suddenly become dependent because they didn't wear a helmet.

Answer 9

I am very much against helmet laws and seat belt laws. I do how ever agree that children should be made to wear them. I however am over 40 and feel that I can make at least some minor intelligent decisions in my life, I do not need some rich politician telling me I am not smart enough to make that decision myself.

Every year the government takes more of our freedom away. We as a nation are losing our freedom everyday. We are forced to wear seat belts, we are forced to pay taxes, we are forced by law to do what ever some distant politician thinks is in our best interest. I for one am tired of them telling me I am to stupid to make a decision that has no bearing on anyone but myself. Wearing a helmet is one of those decisions. I am the one that will be injured should I choose not to wear a helmet. This has no effect on you or anyone else except me.

Answer 10

Let riders choose to ride without helmets. Darwinizm in action, some don't survive to reproduce.
More seriously, there should be a sticker on the bike that confirms the helmetless rider has secured a bond that will provide for the brain dead body. As I understand it, the first helmet laws were to help combat the cost to the public stuck with caring for brain injured riders whom have no insurance

A Helmeted Rider (Full Helmet) I just wana keep my pretty face :)