Posted On: March 25, 2005, 3:24 pm CST

Posted By: Douglas Findlay

If anyone tries to argue the point that helmets are bad, they will lose. Aside from fairly solid statistics on motorcycle fatalities, anyone can come up with numbers that only convince themselves.

The real issue is the helmet law. Consider these questions before you decide someone else's fate:
- Should adults be arrested, fined, and incarcerated for not wearing government-mandated apparel?
- Should car drivers be forced to wear helmets since more people die from fatal head injuries in cars than all motorcycle fatalities combined?
- Should similar risk-prone activities be likewise regulated, regardless of how small or obscure the population sample? (e.g., surfing, BASE jumping, sword-swallowing, stunt-doubling, alligator wrestling, cliff-diving, rollerskating, etc.)
- Is your safety more important than your liberty? (I'm talking about YOU, not some other guy.)
- Is it easier to pass laws that only someone else has to obey?
- Should someone who doesn't participate in your sport make safety decisions on your behalf?
- Do you like having your personal decisions made by someone who only knows you as a statistic?
- Do you equate conventional wisdom with common sense?
- Are you willing to waive your health insurance benefits if you engage in ANY risky behavior? (e.g., smoking, overeating, drinking, pole vaulting, spelunking, tobogganing, etc.)

I guess my point is this - if you think you know what's best for someone else, then someone else may know what's best for you.