[bumblebee]

The American College of Emergency Physicians wants Congress to restore the mandatory use of helmets by motorcycle riders.

Why would emergency room doctors care about motorcycle helmets?

Because they have seen the results of the federal law's repeal in 1995. Six states - including Florida - have repealed their own mandatory helmet laws since then.

Motorcyclist fatalities have increased each year for the last seven years. In 2003, there were 3,661 such fatalities. Each year, about 76,000 riders are injured, and the cost of caring for them is estimated at $840 million.

However, the U.S. Senate recently turned down an effort by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., to re-enact the helmet law. The vote against Lautenberg's amendment was 69-28

http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005205240301&source=email

 

[EIDROEDYR]

This is a hot topic for debate. There is a thread in the General Off Topic discussing helmet law repeal in PA and its affect on fatalities (less fatalities than the previous year of mandatory helmet use).

 

[bumblebee]

This is a hot topic for debate. There is a thread in the General Off Topic discussing helmet law repeal in PA and its affect on fatalities (less fatalities than the previous year of mandatory helmet use).

I read that one, now we have both sides...so post up y'all! let's see where this goes...Personally, I think the rider should decide and Big Brother should stay out of it. Hey Shan, let's put a poll up, I would but I don't know how, Let's ask if the government or the rider should decide

 

[kanwisch]

I'm a minimalist for gov't powers. Obviously then I don't think there should be a law. But simultaneously I don't think the gov't should be covering anyone's rear medically either, and the two go hand-in-hand. Why should my tax dollars pay for your own lack of judgement?

EDIT: I also think insurance is tied in here. Why can't insurers simply put in a clause that you get nothing from them if you're not geared up?

 

[bomma]

I must confess I don't get you lot. On one hand you have some of the most anally retentive legislation on the planet and on the other people jumping up and down and crying 'it's against our constitution', when it clearly benefits everybody concerned..

So, a mandatory helmet law will save lives, why is that so difficult to understand ?

 

[r1sharknose]

I must confess I don't get you lot. On one hand you have some of the most anally retentive legislation on the planet and on the other people jumping up and down and crying 'it's against our constitution', when it clearly benefits everybody concerned..

So, a mandatory helmet law will save lives, why is that so difficult to understand ?

Its called freedom of choice, i.e. not being told what you can or cannot do.
Why stop with helmets when smoking cigs. kill people.etc.etc.

And what about sportbikes,the cops see anything speeding over 100 mph as a lethal weapon,so why stop with helmets lets ban sportbikes like assault weapons~NOT.

 

[kanwisch]

I must confess I don't get you lot. On one hand you have some of the most anally retentive legislation on the planet and on the other people jumping up and down and crying 'it's against our constitution', when it clearly benefits everybody concerned..

So, a mandatory helmet law will save lives, why is that so difficult to understand ?

I understand your confusion. It seems to be tying the actions of the Legislature with the Will of the People. They often not in synch. Thus the obvious misconception.

Most Americans I know want to be left wholly alone to their own devices.

 

[Gas Man]

Blah Blah Blah...

Please forward that article to abate!!

 

[SpeedWerks.com]

So, a mandatory helmet law will save lives, why is that so difficult to understand ?

So would requiring full leathers and body armor. Should we legislate that?

So would making motorcycles illegal ... should we do that too? I mean - cars are much safer, serve the same purpose (transportation) so why do we need motorcycles?

In fact ... there are numerous non-essential, non-motorcycle, recreational activites that can cause injury and death ... perhaps we should do away with all of them, just to be safe?

The point is - we don't need the government mandating safety. I can choose for myself how safe I want/need to be. I don't believe in riding without a helmet, but I do believe in being able to make that choice.

- Roach

 

[Gas Man]

WOW Roach...never seen you be the devil's advocate so much... what got into you there!! :lol:

 

[SpeedWerks.com]

WOW Roach...never seen you be the devil's advocate so much... what got into you there!! :lol:

I'm actually a VERY strong proponent of personal choice and personal responsibility, which unfortunately our current society (in the US) seems to lack

- Roach

 

[Gas Man]

I doesn't matter what you or I say about it... it's not going to change anything for me and I'm tired of debating it!

If you don't wear your gear you're a SQUID, in my mind!

 

[R1up0n1]

I doesn't matter what you or I say about it... it's not going to change anything for me and I'm tired of debating it!

If you don't wear your gear you're a SQUID, in my mind!

:iagree:

 

[JK_DILLA]

Im for choice and i choose to wear my helmet. If not then thats just more organs for everyone else.