NationStates Jolt Archive


Mandatory helmets for motorcycle/bicycle riders?

Chodolo
16-12-2004, 03:25
Should the government force motorcyclists and/or bicyclists to wear a helmet?
CSW
16-12-2004, 03:27
No.
Perkeleenmaa
16-12-2004, 04:38
Yes, except it could be only a recommendation to bicycle riders.

The problem is that sometimes you can trust people's ability to judge for themselves, and sometimes not. This is, and seat belts, and traffic rules are a fine example of things you can't assume people can manage for themselves. For example, without traffic rules, it's "biggest car wins", and accidents are common.

The problem is that humans are animals that can completely understand only speeds they can themselves attain. The motion control system is designed for speeds absolutely no larger than 20-30 km/h (a fast runner). Faster than that, people WILL get it wrong. Running into something, you could maybe break a bone. Driving into something, you could be crushed. People can't judge correctly if they need a helmet, seat belt or traffic rules, because they ALWAYS need them in highway speeds.

For example, this article might be of interest: "Incompetent People Really Have No Clue",
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2000/01/18/MN73840.DTL

Another solution to this would be such that hospitals, the state or the insurance companies would refuse treatment to anyone without a helmet or a seat belt. If you can't be arsed to do the smallest thing for your own safety, why should anyone else?
Chess Squares
16-12-2004, 04:42
isnt that the law anyway
Malre
16-12-2004, 04:47
Helmets won't always help. Take me for example, on a bicycle, I hit something hiding on the backside of a tree, and smacked my face onto the handlebars, shattered a tooth, chipped up a few more, got a minor concussion. A helmet wouldn't have done a thing there, because my jaw is what hit.
Chess Squares
16-12-2004, 04:55
oh yeah, thats all insurance companies need; another reason to take your money and not pay anything out when something happens
Corneliu
16-12-2004, 05:00
Should the government force motorcyclists and/or bicyclists to wear a helmet?

Hell yes! Everyone knows that lives have been saved thanks to helmets. Those that don't wear them are more likely to die from head injuries than those that do wear helmets.