Furthermore, there are many more deaths related to non motorcycle vehicle accidents, i.e. car, trucks, suv’s, etc., than motorcycles. Therefore it is much more critical to enact mandatory helmet laws for people riding in cages, cars, suv’s, trucks, etc.

The simple truth is that no matter what argument you make, there are counter arguments that also make sense, so why just discriminate against bikers and motorcyclist? Why not go after the whole enchilada?

I always recommend wearing a helmet. I wear a helmet. However, I am against big brother telling me that I have to wear a helmet. Regulations always seem to lead to more regulations!

Norm

If you read my articles you will see that I personally recommend wearing a helmet, and I personally recommend large insurance policies. I choose not to force my views on free Americans, I only make recommendations.

How many people are killed or seriously injured with steak knives each year? Should we ban steak knives? You see living is a risky business, and a fatal illness in the end!

You see Mr. Lombardi, I actually practice what I preach. I am a biker. I will be riding to the Laughlin River run this weekend along with tens of thousands of other bikers. I will be wearing a full face helmet, and I will have a great time.

I will not preach mandatory insurance minimums, mandatory helmet laws, or mandatory health insurance to those I mean to represent, because it I believe in freedom of choice.

Yes motorcycle accidents can and do result on horrific injuries, just like car accidents, slip and falls, product liability cases, etc. Why single out bikers, especially if you want them as clients?

Norm

Norm

The gist of my article is a bicycle rider being run over by a drunk driver and being dragged to his death due to no fault of his own, only to have the person who did it laugh about it!

Apples and Oranges!

Norm

Maybe it would be better if society was protected from the insanity inherent in lawyers who do NOT ride black Electra Glides 🙂

Maybe in California bicyclists are different here in Washington State. Here it seems that bicyclists have a death wish.

As for the Drunk Driver — try the laws from El Salvador. There is no second offense.

While I understand that many people are passionate about rights, it is clear that many people’s exercise of those rights can be less than intelligent.

The clear evidence that nearly 70% of motorcycle fatalities involve riders who were not wearing helmets is difficult to refute. When I teach motorcycle safety classes, I liken this playing a casino game of chance – even those who do not wear helmets when they ride would think twice before playing a casino game that can liberate them of their cash 7 out of 10 plays. Except, the game they play when they ride without helmets is gambling with their lives, not money.

And considering the fact that over 4,000 riders lost their lives last year to head injuries (an increase of 127% over 1997 statistics) speaks volumes. I’ve seen the commentary on many sites that tries to relate the fact that nearly the same amount of people died in SUV accidents. Apples and oranges I say. The number of SUV owners far outpaces motorcycle owners in America.

With regards to your “steak knife” analogy, that dog just won’t hunt. If people were running up and down our national system of Interstate Defense Highways and killing each other in accidents with steak knives, I doubt that the law banning fools with steak knives on highways would take as long to be enacted as mandatory helmet laws.

In fact, this country is famous for enacting laws to protect people against less damaging things – breast implants for a time, law jarts, etc.

Why we are so unwilling to pull the trigger on something that would clearly save lives? Motorcycles make up less than 2% of all vehicles, and account for .4% of all miles traveled, and we still have as many deaths as SUV drivers?

No one is taking away the privilege to ride, the suggestion is simply that motorcycle head injuries impact many people. I personally lost a relative and a friend to a lack of helmet usage.

It’s time to stop the arguments and save lives. States require seatbelt use to save lives, it’s time for the helmet law.

I really wish you had broken this post up into two rants. Being lumped in with a drunk driver who is capable at laughing about taking someone’s life is a first for us.

While you might not agree with Mr. Lombardi’s opinions, we believe helping him publish them is an important role to play. And we invite you and your readers to share your opinions at InjuryBoard as well. You can do so through the comments (there are plenty of opportunities… http://www.injuryboard.com/blogs/motorcycle-accidents/) or as guest bloggers in our new Voices program. Just email me directly if you’d like more information.

Oh and btw… smoking is bad for you too.