After flying down the highway at 70+ on my bike, then getting in my car and going "ooo, I better buckle up, so I don't get a ticket..." What kind of irony is that?

 

The leading cause of death in automobile accidents is head injury, yet no one is proposing a helmet law for cars.

 

I don't always wear a helmet but now that I've finally found one that is comfortable, non claustrophobic, and not ridiculous looking (per the wife) I wear one more often.

However, I've always been kind of superstitious about going bare headed with a helmet strapped to the bike. It always seemed to be tempting fate just a little more than I've been comfortable with. Therefore, when traveling through a place or conditions (rain, etc) requiring a helmet, I've always kept it on my head even after leaving the mandatory place or when the conditions passed.

I do remain anti-sticker.

 

That is pretty funny.

 

He was feedin you a line...not once in my career did I consider a lidless rider to have consumed any alcohol, can't say any of my coworkers did either....Usually my first thought was "Lucky bastard! I should burn some comp time and get out there while the weather is nice"

 

"I'm not wearing this helmet by choice" . It would be better written on duct tape, then taped across the forehead.

 

I thought this was kinda funny actually-
Personally I think we have waaaay to many laws and idiot lawmakers scrambling to come up with more laws to benefit some companies bottom line more than my safety. I can take care of myself just fine, thank you. I know not to sit too close to the fire.

 

World English Dictionary
dramatic irony — n
- the irony occurring when the implications of a situation, speech, etc, are understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play

 

Mike, I thought your observation was totally funny. I actually got a laugh out of it. But you you gotta know you can't mention the word 'helmet' in post without all the stories about how they saved my life and you are an idiot for not wearing one, even though it has NOTHING to do with the original post!!!!
Jeez you guys, give it a break.

 

I respect people's right to make personal choices and exercise their right to live their life as they see fit, as long as it doesn't harm others or impose on THEIR lives and rights as stated above.

That being said, in a quarter centuury career in public safety, first as a paramedic and then as a motor officer and accident investigator, I've seen and personally experienced both the benefits of helmet use and the tragedy that can result from going without.

This is not a speech or lecture intended to change anyone's mind. All of you reading this (or most, anyways) are thinking, reasoning adults. You make choices, set priorities. In the end, what's your head/brains/life and future worth to you?

One of the compelling reasons for mandatory helmet laws is not a "nanny state" issue at all, but rather simple economics. As you all know, or should know, comprehensive insurance on a motorcycle DOES NOT include medical coverage for the rider/owner. Thus if you are involved in a crash, your only coverage is that provided by whatever medical coverage you have through your employer or have purchased yourself. This coverage makes no provision for long term care if you sustain a significant head injury beacause you were riding without a helmet. So, you have two options: Sue the other party (difficult ot do if you were in a single vehicle crash!), or become a "ward of the state". Yes, you go to the cheapest nursing home Medicaid will pay for and live out your days being fed through a tube and pissing in a bag, all on the taxpayers dime. Not a very attractive prospect, is it?

Yes, the helmet laws do have an element of protecting us from ouselves, as do the seatbelt laws, but the underlying theme is a practical one from a strictly "financial" point of view.

I always wear a helmet. I crashed my police motor once at relatively low speed (less than 30 mph) and my head hit HARD. if not for the helmet I would be dead or be drawing with crayons in a long term care facility somewhere now. Whenever I see riders going w/o a helmet I feel sad for the potential consequences they face, but I respect their choice.