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Man dies after motorcycle crashes during helmet protest ride
9wsyr.com ^ | July 2, 2011 | WSYR-TV

Posted on 07/03/2011 8:33:56 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper

LAFAYETTE, NY (WSYR-TV) – New York State Troopers say one man is dead after a motorcycle crash near McClary Road and Route 11 in LaFayette on Saturday.

New York State Police say 55-year-old Philip Contos of Parish was part of a protest against motorcycle helmets.

Police say several motorists from the group ABATE (American Bikers Aimed for Education) of Onondaga County had come together to make a point that they didn't need their helmets.

The group was driving south on Route 11 in Lafayette around 1:30 p.m., headed toward Lake Como, just south of the Finger Lakes.

Police say Contos suddenly hit the brakes and lost control of the motorcycle.

According to troopers, Contos was thrown over his handlebars and hit the pavement as his 1993 Harley Davidson motorcycle skidded toward the guardrail.

Contos was still alive when crews arrived at the scene and was transported to Upstate University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to police, Contos was not wearing his helmet, as required by law. Witnesses say this decision was part of the protest.

Police say that based on evidence at the scene and from doctors, Contos would have survived if he had been wearing a DOT-Approved helmet.

(Excerpt) Read more at 9wsyr.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: New York
KEYWORDS: irony; whoops
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1 posted on 07/03/2011 8:33:59 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Looks like he got his way.

He will never need a helmet.


2 posted on 07/03/2011 8:36:23 AM PDT by Jonty30
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Oh well,.......... what can ya say!


3 posted on 07/03/2011 8:36:51 AM PDT by Ditter
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Bell Helmets had an add years ago that said, “If you’ve got a ten dollar head, wear a ten dollar helmet.” What does it say about how you value your head if you don’t wear a helmet at all?

That said, if you are an adult, I think it is your choice. Period.


4 posted on 07/03/2011 8:37:03 AM PDT by newheart (When does policy become treason?)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

A bit old for a Darwin Award but he deserves one. Stupid is as stupid does. There’s a reason why motorcycles are called donor cycles. How’s that no helmet protest going for ya now, huh?

Still, prayers for his family and hopefully someone in that protest learned a lesson.


5 posted on 07/03/2011 8:37:54 AM PDT by bgill
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To: Berlin_Freeper

He really showed them a thing or two, did he?


6 posted on 07/03/2011 8:38:08 AM PDT by rightly_dividing (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Ha ha!


7 posted on 07/03/2011 8:40:11 AM PDT by BigCinBigD ("We hold it in our power, to begin the world anew")
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Isn’t it ironic, don’t ya think?


8 posted on 07/03/2011 8:40:35 AM PDT by Flag_This (Real presidents don't bow.)
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To: newheart
Needless call by the police. Probably should have just pushed his body over in the ditch ~ the bike, of course, could have been taken to a safe place to be dismantled into parts.

So, which of these winners called the cops and generated public costs?

9 posted on 07/03/2011 8:40:48 AM PDT by muawiyah
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To: Berlin_Freeper

I haven’t kept up with it since I don’t ride anymore but it looks like Michigan is on its way to going helmetless again.

Personally I’m not a fan of helmet laws for adults. However, I’m also not a fan of paying for years of care for severely brain damaged people who did it to themselves.

The Michigan law will have some restrictions attached like a rider must be over 21 and have a minimum number of riding years under his belt to ride without a helmet.

One thing I have observed about helmetless riders is that few of them have grey or thinning hair.


10 posted on 07/03/2011 8:41:06 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
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To: Berlin_Freeper
Although wearing a seat belt while driving an automobile is mandatory here in Pennsylvania, I have always buckled up and insist that any passenger do the same.

It is a shame this man died. The laws of physics can be very unforgiving.

11 posted on 07/03/2011 8:43:27 AM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((unite))
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To: newheart
if you are an adult, I think it is your choice

Why is it that so many states have strict seat belt laws but no law regarding motorcycle helmets? It would seem to me that it should be both or neither.

And it would seem to me that if you choose not to wear a helmet, your insurance premiums should be much higher because of the increased risk.

12 posted on 07/03/2011 8:44:09 AM PDT by Leaning Right (Why am I carrying this lantern? you ask. I am looking for the next Reagan.)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

For all my years I have wondered why anyone would get on a motorcycle and risk his life and well-being. I have two nieces who work in emergency rooms and they see these men (women usually have better sense) brought in after one of these accidence. One told me that they brought in one person whose brains were all mush inside his “protective helmet.”


13 posted on 07/03/2011 8:45:25 AM PDT by OldPossum
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To: Berlin_Freeper
Wearing Helmets to save your head from trauma while riding a crotch rocket at speeds of 60 MPH or higher usually ends up doing nothing more than saving time for the coroner when he doesn't have to search for pieces of your brains and skull after the accident.
14 posted on 07/03/2011 8:45:59 AM PDT by Mad Dawgg (If you're going to deny my 1st Amendment rights then I must proceed to the 2nd one...)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

The woman, can’t remember her name, that led the effort to repeal the helmet law in Florida was the first victim after the law was passed.


15 posted on 07/03/2011 8:45:59 AM PDT by animal172 (Does anyone even remember the USA of old?)
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To: Berlin_Freeper
I know Freepers will disagree with me, but I am all for the helmet law.

Driving on PUBLIC roads (paid for by a common public) allows the government to impose a minimum level of safety. We can all disagree with the level of safety required, but it is not beyond the mandate of government to impose safety laws.

Safety laws on public roads have existed in one form or the other since BEFORE the beginning of our Republic

16 posted on 07/03/2011 8:47:28 AM PDT by SoftwareEngineer
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To: OldPossum

“Accidence”? New word. That should be “accidents.”


17 posted on 07/03/2011 8:47:37 AM PDT by OldPossum
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Head in motion vs cement at rest.... and the winner is.......... (drumrolls.......)cement at rest.


18 posted on 07/03/2011 8:50:08 AM PDT by tflabo
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To: Leaning Right

I would wear a helmet on a motorcycle. Some give the argument that a helmet restricts vision. Perhaps some think it is “uncool”. It is most uncool when you go sailing because your cycle stopped but your body continued to move at the speed you were doing.


19 posted on 07/03/2011 8:50:13 AM PDT by He Rides A White Horse ((unite))
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To: Berlin_Freeper
Fairly ironic. Gary Busey had a similar experience. From what I've read he was adamantly against mandating wearing helmets; then he had a horrible motorcycle accident. He lived but it took a long time for him to recover.

However, these stories are another ploy by the left to magnify one story while completely discounting millions of other anecdotes; ones that are positive, because there is an agenda and it is to restrict, control and rule right down to the most personal of decisions.

Another example of this tactic being used is with the illegal immigrants. The other day on the news (radio snippets) they reported that there was a young lady here illegally all of her life and now is being threatened with deportation (insert wahhhh here). She spoke, and of course doesn't want to be deported (insert another wahhhh here) and she is going to medical school (insert 'you stupid gringos, I'm going to be helping you in the future').

These tactics have worked because we've let them. We must take back and control the dialogue with examples of our own.

Geeeezzz guess my coffee kicked in. (sorry)

20 posted on 07/03/2011 8:50:22 AM PDT by Outlaw Woman
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