Prepare for more RIP threads this summer..

[FalxZZR]

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2009/03/15/politics_and_elections/news/294news50helmet.txthttp://www.newstribune.com/articles/200 ... helmet.txt

MissouriSenate repeals mandatory motorcycle helmet law

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By The Associated Press
Published: Thursday, March 12, 2009 4:58 PM CDT

The Missouri Senate votes to allow people at least 21 years old to ride a motorcycle without wearing a helmet.

Missouri has required riders to wear helmets for decades, but some lawmakers have been trying to overturn that law, arguing that it infringes on civil liberties.

Even under the repeal, riders would still need to wear a helmet on interstate highways.

Critics of changing the law include a Kansas City senator whose son died in a motorcycle crash 10 years ago. Democratic Sen. Yvonne Wilson says requiring helmets has saved people from serious brain damage or death.

The Senate voted 23-6 on Thursday to pass a motorcycle insurance bill that contains the helmet provisions. The measure now moves to the House where it has passed before.

Like it says, its passed the House before, and if it does again, I guarentee fatality increase. Lets just hope the members of this board are smart enough to make the right choice. (i know you are~ )

[wyattmulaw]

Isn't it sad that people need a law to force them to wear a helmet.

There is a name for the increase in fatalities that will follow if this passes, Natural Selection.

[blakey2007]

haha yeah wyatt is right if you are not smart enough to wear a helmet you should be able to deal with the consequences

[Gravy848]

I bet you see a slight increase in your insurance rates.

[fallout]

boo

[Kurt V]

Originally Posted by Gravy848

I bet you see a slight increase in your insurance rates.

If so it won't be directly related to this change in the law. Most riders do not carry medical insurance on themselves with their vehicle insurance. Now I wouldn't be surprised to see your insurance company have different rates for those who wear helmets and those that don't.

I wear a helmet all the time, but I think it is bullshit to require motorcyclists to wear helmets, but not people driving and riding in cars. Just as many head injuries from car wrecks as motorcycles.

[desmo2]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

Just as many head injuries from car wrecks as motorcycles.

This is not true when referring to occupants who are wearing seat belts.

Read through the Highway Patrol's on-line crash reports every now and then:
http://www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/HP68/SearchAction?searchTroop=Fhttp://www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/HP68/SearchA ... rchTroop=F

In the last 2 weeks, the Troop F area (our area) has dealt with 7 fatalities from car crashes. NONE OF THEM were wearing their seat belts, and most were ejected from the vehicle when it overturned. Look at the serious injury crashes. The overwhelming majority of those suffering serious injuries were also not wearing seat belts.

I won't get into the debate over whether helmet use and seat belt use should be mandated by law, but there is simply no denying their effectiveness in preventing or reducing serious injury and death.

"Well, I know a guy who was in a crash, and if he would have been wearing a seat belt he would have been killed..."

I can't tell you how many times I have heard this. Hundreds. Possibly a thousand times or more. Bullshit! Being trapped in a car because of a seat belt and being burned alive, or being held in place by the seat belt as the car overturns and breaking your neck...or whatever the story may be...is a one in a million long shot. Honestly, I don't think the odds are even that good. However, I see seat belts reduce or prevent injury dozens of times a month. If you were a gambling person, where would you bet your money? Let's up the stakes a bit. Where would you bet your life?

Sorry to go off on a rant, but I am so sick of seeing broken, bloody bodies when it just does not have to happen.

Please, buckle up and wear your helmets, regardless of what the law says. Bike Nights are much more interesting when people are alive.

[FalxZZR]

Anytime someone comes up with a "reason" why wearing a helmet isnt as safe as not wearing one, it is either myth or disinformation~

[Kurt V]

You misinterpreted my post. I wear a helmet on the bike and use a seatbelt in the car. I was just railing on those who think a helmet on a bike should be mandatory, but are opposed to similar types of regulation when it comes to driving a car. If the whole purpose of these regulations is to protect us from ourselves, then get serious about seat belt laws.

[desmo2]

Actually, only the first sentence of my post was in response to your post, Kurt. Wearing a helmet is the only way to prevent head injury in the event of a motorcycle crash. In a car, a seat belt is just as effective. I don't agree with your statement that requiring helmet use on a motorcycle, but not in a car, doesn't make sense.

The rest of my post was just me going off on a tangent.

When I get that syrup in me, I get all antsy in my pantsy!