Posted On: June 27, 2006, 8:47 am CDT

Posted By: Live Free or Die

Becky:
Sorry you got picked on by Underwriter2 when I was the one who cited a government study showing that the average medical costs in an accident was more if you are wearing a helmet. That's right-- more! To make it clear, I am not saying people shouldn't wear a helmet. The conclusion that medical costs are slightly higher when wearing a helmet actually speaks in favor of wearing helmets as the medical costs for many not wearing helmets are zero as they skip the hospital and go directly to the funeral home.

I am not arguing that helmets shouldn't be worn. I am just saying that society has no great interest in whether someone has a helmet on or not. No real interest unless you want to outlaw all behavior that might lead to premature death with a reduction in tax revenue and that may be what the politicians really fear, but then maybe we should outlaw lots of "bad" things. Booze and tobacco come right to mind but lets not stop there. Inefficient SUVs pollute and thus increase the death rate from lung diseases among the elderly. AIDS is a terrible problem but one that could be easily solved by either outlawing sex( all risky sex, i.e., no more of that Bill&Monica stuff- that is sex too!) outside of marriage or making it a misdemeanor to have sex without a condom unless married (to each other). And how about obesity? Maybe we should regulate what fast food places sell. No more supersizing by Ronald !

I would like those in favor of helmets being required to show how the overall cost to society in terms of medical costs is any more if helmets are not required. Where is the proof ? Where are the studies supporting your position? The federal government's study showing helmets to be effective at the same time stands for the proposition that the cost to society for medical costs is the same regardless of whether or not you wear a helmet.

If interested in this government report check out table 15 at page 38 at :

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/CODES/codesrpt.pdf