Should Americans be forced to wear helmets when they ride motorcycles?
Is Helmet Usage An Individual's Choice?
People shouldn't be told how to ride motorcycles, unless it directly affects the safety of someone other than the rider. Here in America, you're basically allowed the freedom to do what we wish.
There are limits put in place to protect you, or to protect others and/or their property. Things like Driving under the Influence, yelling “Fire!” in a crowded movie house, are examples of laws put in place for the protection of others.
This also applies to much of the mandated safety equipment on vehicles as well. Lights and turn signals, functioning brakes, foot pegs, all things that help make things safer for everyone, including the rider.
Some States Mandate Helmet Usage
In many states, including California, there are mandatory helmet laws for people riding motorcycles. This law is in place for two reasons; the first, most obvious reason is the rider’s safety. The second, less obvious (and likely less reasonable) reason is the financial burden head injuries are supposedly putting on taxpayers and hospitals when the rider does not have sufficient financial ability to pay for the high cost of treatment required for head injuries. There is one figure that put it at about .00004% of what the fed pays for national health care.
If you ride motorcycles, or like to watch NFL Football, you’ve likely heard about Ben Roethlisberger’s motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania where he was not wearing a helmet. (Unlike California, Pennsylvania law does not require licensed riders to wear helmets while riding.)
Two things about his accident stand out:
- He was riding one of the biggest, quickest bikes at that time, a Suzuki Hayabusa 1300
- He was doing it without a helmet.
The military has strict rules when riding. Even for non-military while on a military base. They require not only a helmet, but a reflective vest. Otherwise they won’t let you on base. Some corporations have similar clauses in their contracts with employees. So do many sports teams.
So why was Big Ben allowed to ride a potentially dangerous motorcycle, let alone without a helmet? Bill Cowher knew Big Ben was riding without a helmet; he talked to him about it right after Browns tight end Kellen Winslow had a motorcycle accident.
Nobody Intends to Have an Accident
On Sportscenter, Big Ben’s ‘agent’ said something to the effect of…”Ben rides a big, modern motorcycle, and it is very safe. So he doesn’t need a helmet.” Well, the accident was not Big Ben’s fault. The lady in the car turned left in front of him. So how does that translate into “he doesn’t need a helmet?”
The Bottom Line
There are two types of bikers; those that have crashed, and those that are going to crash. If you’re going to ride, dress to crash. Because no matter how good you are or how good you think you are, you can’t control everyone or everything around you that may play a part in you crashing.
Yes, riders should have the freedom to choose, but a rider that willfully rides in traffic without a helmet and other proper safety gear is not thinking clearly, or simply does not care about their own safety.
