Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Sevulturus, things are changing, that's true. I have a lot of Canadian friends, and I go there on a regular basis. I still believe there is a lot more regulation in Canada, but that's really a completely different discussion from this thread. I wasn't criticising, just saying that it's not easy to make a comparison between the two.

Back to topic, how many states have mandatory helmet laws? I know Texas doesn't...

Indiana doesn't either and i'm happy about that.

pa, delaware, maryland do not. i think nj does.

Yup, New Jersey does have a helmet law, and it says you are suppose to have 4 square inches of reflective tape on the back and sides of the helmet. I think that is a pretty mentally challenged rule, and no one follows it anyway. There are the few that do of course.

in Canada we can mandate helmet usage because we have a public health care system, so as a public safety issue we make riders (even bicyclists in most places) wear helmets and motorists wear seatbelts.

I'd wear my helmet even if i lived somewhere that i could ride without it. I am overly safety concious but i don't need a law to tell me that getting hit in the head hurts. I don't agree with people who ride without a helmet, but it's their choice and i won't preach to them about it unless they preach to me that riding with a helmet is stupid.

The laws in places like ND that state you have to wear a helmet if you are 21 (think that's the age) and under are fine by me though, since, hopefully by the time you reach your 20s you can make better decisions about your own safety.

Insurance. If MY insurance rates go UP because someone chooses to NOT wear a helmet or a seatbelt and gets into an accident - and they don't have any insurance - then he!! yes I care, and he!! yes the laws are good.

I'm all about choice and choosing for yourself. As long as I don't have to pay for it.

About 5 years ago my cousin was killed on his bike (he was in full gear and not his fault). Burial about $15,000. 1 year later my brother was in a car wreck, wearing seat belt and air bag activated. He survived with neck and back injuries that to date have cost in excess of $150,000. Which one do think cost you more in insurance? The fact is the more we raise the survival rate the more it will cost you in insurance not less. back in the 60's when they started pushing for seatbelts they said it would lower insurance rates. That never happened. Insurance went up. If it's about survival it's going to be more expensive that's all there is to it. The only thing that will lower your insurance costs are endeavors that carry very little risk. What are you prepared to give up?

P.S. the states that have helmet laws don't have cheaper insurance rates.

Scott58 wrote:That's where it starts. Where do you draw the line?

Hrm, so you are suggesting no laws... anarchy? No gun laws? Hell, why have laws regarding sex with minors... who are they to tell someone what they can and can't do because of age? Maybe no leash laws so some thug's pitbull can come up and rip your throat out, how dare they tell you that fido has to be on a leash when you know he is a good dog? Where do YOU draw the line? Helmet and seatbelt laws are resonable, telling someone they can not ride at all is NOT resonable... get it? The majority of law makers would agree with me... that is why the seatbelt and helmet laws ARE resonable.

Money doesn't and shouldn't factor into the equation. It is too variable. People who live on the Gulf Coast caused my home insurance rates to go up by filing claims after Katrina. So I think no one should be able to live on the coastlines anymore. We who choose to ride motorcycles, regardless of gear, cause cage drivers insurance to go up. Gangsta's hanging on the corner shooting at each other, they don't have insurance I bet, they cause my insurance rates to go up. Smokers, drinkers, the overweight, all affect my insurance rates. The money arguement is facetious.

/me predicts this will soon be moved to the Soap Box