Helmet Laws

This will be no shocker for people that know me. I think helmet laws are absolutely absurd. Time and time again studies have proven no direct collation between helmet laws and motorcycle fatalities. When it comes to this topic I even have sources to back up my stance. I believe helmet laws are an unnecessary intrusion on our basic freedom of choice. Here are some cold hard facts on helmet laws.

· Relative to the number of registered motorcycles, states with mandatory helmet laws had 12.5% more accidents and 2.3% more fatalities than free choice states for the 14 year period 1977-90.
Accident and Fatality Statistics,
analyzed by A.R. Mackenzie, M.D.

· "WARNING: No protective headgear can protect the wearer against all foreseeable impacts. This helmet is not designed to provide neck or lower head protection. This helmet exceeds Federal Standard FMVSS218: Even so death or severe injury may result from speeds as low as 15 mph while wearing a helmet."
Label inside a new helmet, 1992

· According to Bell Helmet Dealers Guide (1986) "... an incorrectly fitted helmet can do more damage than no helmet at all."... and that people will usually buy a helmet that fits too loose as it is more comfortable.

· "It is concluded that: 1) motorcycle helmets have no significant effect on probability of fatality; and 2) past a critical impact speed, helmets increase the severity of neck injuries."
Dr. Jonathan Goldstein, Bowdoin College

· NHTSA admits that motorcycle accidents make up only 1/10 of 1% of all medical expenses.

· Automobile accidents account for 45.5% of all head injured patients and are responsible for 37.1% of all fatalities involving head injury.
The Journal of Trauma, 1989

· 72% of U.S. motorcyclists already wear a helmet, either by choice or by existing state laws, while auto rivers use seat belts only 47% of the time. ...more than half of all auto fatalities involve a head injury... yet no one would suggest that auto drivers should wear helmets.

· "The automobile driver is at fault in more than 70% of all car/motorcycle conflicts."
Second International Congress on Automobile safety

· In 1987, when the California Legislature considered a helmet law, they received in excess of 20,000 letters, petitions and phone calls opposing the bill, and only 75 letters/calls supporting it.

If you're still not convinced go out onto the Internet and do some research. I honestly don't know how the government gets away with passing these ridiculous laws that have absolutely no real world evidence to back them up. Driving a motorcycle is a privilege not a right, but the freedom to wear a helmet is a right!!!! It's about time the lawmakers listened to the voice of the people. I don't need someone watching out for me. I do just fine myself. I also have my brothers on the roads that do a good job of keeping me in line. I have the joy of living in one of the greatest states in the world for motorcyclists, Iowa. We do not have a helmet law. We do however have drivers education provided by the ABATE motorcycle association and the state government.