Why is it that a motorcyclist has the right to chose if he/she wears a helmet, and people that drive vehicles don't have the right to chose rather to wear a sealtbelt or not? Please help me understand this concept.
2006-12-01 03:50:07 · 14 answers · asked by Darla Y 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
In most if not all states it is law for a motorcyclist to wear a helmet. You are misinformed.
2006-12-01 03:58:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Keep in mind that some states have mandatory helmet laws for motorcyclists, so by law they cannot choose to wear a helmet.
All states (as i understand) have motorvehicle seatbelt laws, which were individually applied over years of legislation, sometimes at the behest of insurance and other public safety groups. There aren't as many cyclists on the road, so there's not as much pressure.
2006-12-01 12:00:29 · answer #2 · answered by Jerry J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe in Texas that helmets are optional if you have sufficient insurance, while seat belts are required.
Laws are not usually written to make things fair. They are written to resolve some problem the society is having. People dying or being seriously injured in automobile accidents is a burden on society in many different ways. The more injured the person is, the more stress is placed on the health care system. If the driver becomes unable to work, they may require government assistance and at the same time quit contributing taxes to the general fund. (At least income tax.) Being unable to work, or dying may leave immediate family with no means of support, again requiring government support.
Because most people must drive in order to work, it is not feasible to make driving more limited. So the solution is to impose more and more safeties. These include seat belts, and mandatory insurance.
The difference between motorcycles and cars is that while most people must drive, no one must drive a motorcycle. If most people got around by motorcycle, then helmet laws would be mandatory and seat belts would be optional. This isn't fair, but it is this way because laws address problems that do exist and also limits itself to the bigger problems.
In short, people dying or being severely injured in motorcycle accidents is less of a problem then people dying or being injured in automobile accidents. This, as someone else pointed out, is simply because fewer people ride motorcycles, and tend to do so less of the time.
2006-12-01 14:03:17 · answer #3 · answered by bsandyman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't agree with the seat belt law. In my opinion it is unconstitutional. The law is imposing on me, my right to live my life as I see fit. Whether or not I wear a seat belt in my own car and the risks involved is my business and does not affect anyone else. So it is not a law maker's right to impose that law onto me.
A used to wear a seat belt religiously when I owned a Grand Marquis. After I bought my Kia, I have a hard time checking my blind spot without the seat belt locking up on me and hindering a proper look. There have been 2 occasions in which it almost caused me to get in a wreck so after that 2nd time the only time I wear it is if I see a cop, I'll whip it on and the take it back off after he is out of sight.
2006-12-01 13:05:44 · answer #4 · answered by closetcoon_fan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most states have helmet laws AND seatbelt laws. I'm not aware of any that have just one or the other. Even without the laws though, you'd be pretty stupid to ride a motorcycle without a helmet or drive a car without a seatbelt. Both are proven to save lives.
2006-12-01 12:15:19 · answer #5 · answered by Mike W 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
different states, different laws.
in texas, you are required to wear a helmet on a SPORTS BIKE no matter what. If it's a cruiser, you can purchase a more expensive insurance that will allow you to ride without a helmet.
2006-12-01 17:36:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Motorcycle riders up here in NJ have to wear helmets or face a ticket. But as far as other places, that does seem to be a double-standard.
2006-12-01 11:58:54 · answer #7 · answered by Christabelle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a law to wear a seat belt in my state. People who refuse to wear helmets and/or seat belts are just plain stupid.
2006-12-01 15:30:35 · answer #8 · answered by Me, Myself & I 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As with most other things in life, you do have a choice, but you must be willing to live with the consequences. Seat belt laws were put on the books to save lives, Accidents happen...Its a fact. You must ask yourself..Would I rather get to my destination inconvenienced but alive? Or dead, mutilated or debilitated. If kids or loved ones ride with you, the answer is easy. Like they say...when I die.. I want to go peacefully in my sleep like grampa.. Not screaming in terror like the others riding with him.
2006-12-01 14:38:58 · answer #9 · answered by Dave K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's law to wear a helmet where i live.
2006-12-01 11:58:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋