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Posted on 02/06/2006 1:20:14 PM PST by martin_fierro
Virginia May Drop Motorcycle Helmet Law
POSTED: 8:35 am EST February 6, 2006 UPDATED: 8:49 am EST February 6, 2006
RICHMOND, Va. -- A House of Delegates committee has endorsed a measure that would lift Virginia's motorcycle helmet law for operators and passengers age 21 years and older.
The bill -- now bound for the full House -- is sponsored by William Janis of Henrico.
He said helmet wearing should be optional for motorcycle enthusiasts.
It may become optional, but it's kinda stupid to ride without a helmet - especially at highway speeds.
Oh - And I'm a rider, in case anyone wonders.
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Donorcycles
I'm anti-helmet laws on principle, but I think you're a moron if you ride without one. If they must have laws, I suggest one that says you can ride without a helmet, but then your insurance doesn't have to pay any claims if you get in a wreck.
While I support a stupid person's right to become a vegetable when a helmet might have resulted in a simple overnighter at the hospital, the problem is the type of yo yo without the helmet likely has no health insurance.
Good deal. Let the rider decide. I hate it when I have to ride through a state with a helmet law.
I'd buy that. Same thing with seat belts. If you accept the risk of riding or driving without using safety equipment, then there really should be a risk to accept, y'know?
I watched a helmetless guy crack a bike up in South Carolina a couple years back. I thought for sure I was going to have to explain being late back from lunch because somebody died...fortunately the rider did a miraculous job keeping the bike up. He took a 35 mph curve at 55+ and shot off the road onto a wide dirt/grass shoulder, but managed to hang on for 100 very wobbly feet until it finally threw him going about 20 mph. He didn't have a scratch.
My brother busted himself up on his bikes in his misspent youth one too many times for me to ever think riding helmetless was smart...but it should be the individual's decision. The individual should not, however, be insulated from the results of that decision.
}:-)4
I don't think that should be in the law. Just give insurance companies the authority to write a policy based on that rule.
In other words, let the insurance company write the policy any way it wants, without government interference.
For example, the insurance company could offer higher-priced insurance for people who don't want to wear helmets.
BTW, one of the arguments against helmet laws is that the helmets make riding more dangerous, thus leading to accidents. Whereas the helmet only helps you if you HAVE an accident.
In principle I agree with you, but the problem is is that the gov't will pick up costs for the uninsured via Medicaid. You'd have to both let the insurance chips fall where they may AND get rid of gov't handouts for the costs not to get passed back to the taxpayer.
LQ, a rider who wears her helmet and, while opposed to helmet laws on principle, realizes that under the current system we'll all end up paying for helmetless accident victims.
WOW, what refreshing commentary. Make up your own phrase, quit copying dunderheads of the past.
I don't entirely buy the argument that helmets cause accidents. I can see much better because my eyes don't water when I wear a helmet. As far as peripheral vision goes, I can actually see better because I am not squinting while zipping along at 90+
:)
Don't go there or insurance companies will start wanting to deny claims becuse you weren't wearing a seat belt or because you didn't eat right or you weren't wearing safety glasses, etc.
It is a legal issue not safety.
For example the US surgeon general wants to outlaw all tobacco. (really) At some point the law can and SHOULD only do so much.
We could outlaw bungee jumping, cars that go faster than 35mph. (cars entirely, since they cause more head injuries)
it just gets silly. What we really need is a revolution in helmet design to get away from the absurd styrofoam coolers.
Get real, get a grip and get a new line!
There are more organ donors from car accidents than there are from motorcycle accidents!
Insurance and federal money.
(ain't I a little stinker?)
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