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Corporatemonkey
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 02:45 am: | 
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Unfortunately, the public must pay for scraping brains off the asphalt and for the support of families who's breadwinner just offed himself.
Well said. |
Irideabuell
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 06:04 am: |
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I've only ridden on the street once without a helmet and it was the trip to pick up my xB12s. I had a helmet on order that seemed to take forever to arrive, so my wife talked me into picking the bike up anyway.
She said she'd ride directly behind me all the way home (I'm not sure what that was supposed to protect against, but she did as she said she would).
It was the most miserable ride of my life. I-4 through Orlando with every possible thing hitting me in the face (mostly dust and other small material being kicked up by the cars in front of me).
It was the last time! |
Jlnance
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 07:11 am: |
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Unfortunately, the public must pay for scraping brains off the asphalt and for the support of families who's breadwinner just offed himself.
I'm inclined to agree, but this troubles me.
We don't have to pay for scraping someones brains off the asphalt. We could just leave them there to die. That isn't a morally acceptable solution for most people (myself included.) So we end up saying "I'm gonna pass this law to make you act a certain way, so you won't put me in a morally difficult spot." Somehow that seems wrong.
That said, I'm glad NC has a helmet law.
(Message edited by jlnance on January 28, 2008) |
Blublak
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 08:51 am: |
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Now, I've ridden without a helmet before. Once in FL while on vacation. My brother in law took pictures as I cruised down the Macarthur Causeway lidless. It was a strange feeling to say the least. I can of course understand the appeal of it, the sense of freedom, etc.
Of course, I also got pinged by a few flying things and what not.
Now, I wear gear when I ride. I get grief from some of my 'cruiser' buddies but that's life. One of them about three days after giving me a ration for wearing all that 'heavy' clothing got all scraped up when his Ultra Classic slid out on some sand and down he went.
All that not withstanding.
I have always felt that there should be NO laws mandating helmet use. Instead, it should be attached to the real reason for most of these laws; the insurance industry.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. There should be a discount if you state you are ATGATT. If you go down and you're not wearing your gear (as stated in your policy) your not covered. Those that decide to NOT wear a lid, can pay a little more and enjoy full coverage for that lessor protection. Now it's not a legal thing, the impetus is where it should be, on the money side of the equation. Most legislators seem to care less if we lived or died (there are a few exceptions) but the thought of having to pay for us to live or die.. that's upsetting to them. Let the insurance do the deed, leave the law to do more important things.. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 11:06 am: |
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I like the private sector solution Blublak, but the problem is that the cost isn't borne by the insurance company usually.
You're an average joe who choses to carry only the minimum liability coverage required by law. Your plan would cover the damages caused to another driver but it won't cover the costs associated with the ambulance ride, the life flight, fire services, or highway/street repair. There may even be hospital emergency services that the hospital by law is required to provide that the individual has no way to pay for (and isn't required to).
I agree with Jim that we wouldn't allow someone to just stew in their own pool of blood and die, but none of us would stop and break out the checkbook either.
The gubmint takes a little from all of us to cover the cost and provide for the common good. The helmets are merely the government's attempt to reduce a portion of the costs at the hospital, ambulance, and life flight level.
Now, the state could require that everyone carry insurance that covers these costs in the event of an accident. Then the insurance company could dictate what you wear and what you ride by the premiums you pay.
Governments must pass laws to require you to do something. Insurance companies simply change the rules with a flick of a pen. The insurance company might decide that you need to wear full leathers, helmet, and only ride 250cc motorcycles.
Honestly, I'd rather the government be forced to make those changes. |
Nevrenuf
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 09:58 pm: |
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in florida, you don't have to have motorcycle insurance and if you want to ride without a helmet, you are required to have it but the big problem is no one is going to stop a motorcyle rider without a helmet unless they do something wrong. i've always wore a fullface with the buell because of the riding position(face forward) opposed to the ultra(more of a seated position) where i just used to wear a brain bucket but the older i get the more i realize i have a better chance of surviving if i use a better helmet. it's for my own good i guess |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 02:00 am: |
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To me, riding without a helmet is absolutely nuts. Riding is borderline nuts WITH a lid on. Without is just suicidal. I am surprised that ANY states allow someone to ride without a helmet. In most cases, I disagree with gov't dictating anything to me, but in this case I have to agree (did I just say I agreed with government? I don't believe it..) |
Bad_karma
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 02:13 am: |
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Any time the government get's involved the public loses. I wear my helmet all the time. But if you want to give up your freedom for a false sense of security that fine, but quit giving mine away. Why do I have to pay for their families, because the government makes me. Your government will convince you that it is only safe to sit at home watching TV, but you will still die. When you crash with your helmet on we will still have to pay for the services. Sorry that I can't support your liberal ideas, but not as sorry as I am about having to pay for them.
Joe |
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