I’m glad those of us who choose to ride (without a helmet)have someone to speak out on our behalf regarding these studies based on nonsense.
Did these accidents in Fla. increase when the snowbirds are down there not paying attention to the road? Isn’t the average age of a driver down there above 65? Was cell phone use by the driver of the car that pulled out in front of the rider to blame? How about years of riding experience and type of motorcycle involved in the fatality?
These are just more baseless numbers a politician can quote to try and take my right to ride without a helmet away.
Thanks to the goverment for wasting our tax money yet again
I do not see this as much different than seatbelt laws. It is proven that seatbelts save lives regardless of who is responsible for causing the accident. The same can be said for wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle. If you are in a accident a helmet will increase your chance of survival.
If you have a family you owe it to them to wear a helmet regardless if you are a experiencd rider or not, you cannot protect yourself 100% from other people on the road.
I agree with T. 45% of the riders that died did not wear a helmet. Of those riders, how many would be alive today if they did wear a helmet.
If we participate in this risky activity we owe it to ourselves and our families to do what we can to mitigate the risks while still enjoying ourselves. We can’t control what others do, but we can control what we do.
Not mentioned in the survey is the percentage of increase in the number of licensed motorcucles on the road over the same periods. The study mentions numbers of accidents increased. How does that compare to the percentage of accidents/fatalities per licensed motorcyle? Although I always wear mine, I believe in getting our statistics straight, not necessarily just what we want them to say.
I agree w/ Jerry on the need for actual reporting of all statistics related. Conspicuoulsy absent are any statistics that show how many people were killed in cycle accidents while wearing helmets.
This article begs for more information and clarity. Any study that is undertaken should include the type of accident, type of injury, surviveability based on head protection and compare the true number of helmet related (lack therof) related deaths based on the total number of miles driven by all registered motorcycle riders. I think what you will find is that the deaths per million miles driven has risen only modestly while the number of miles driven has shot up remarkably. If we are going to have a debate on this issue, let’s have all the facts. Then let’s talk about social responsibility versus personal responsibility.
The law should have not been changed
helmets are as important as seat belts.
also all drivers to obtain the motorcycle
endorsement in there lic. they should
go to a class/course on safety ( from the
state not from an independent company)
As a passenger on a motorcycle I
see the way people do not obey signs, change lanes constanly to try and
be the first one in the lane!!!
but I strongly suggest to the
transportation dept. that the street light
signals should become RED on all intersections therefore all traffic
comes to a complete stop, wait 3 to 4 seconds and then change the light.
I think it will be safer for all of us vehicle drivers, motorcycle drivers.
I know it will create be more
traffic, but hey, less fatalities.!!!
Is someone out there willing to establish a caregivers’ group so those who refuse to wear a helmet on motorcycle can care for those who wish they had worn a helmet?
I have always shared your opinion about stoplights being red for 3-4 seconds in all directions before changing. These cities that go out and spend 100’s of Thoudands of dollars on stoplight cameras to prevent accidents at intersections could save alot of money if they just adjusted the delay. Then again they really are not trying to prevent accidents but rather make money or else they would do this simple and logical fix.
comment to the ” concerned”
I also see more scooters out on the
street, can it be due to the high
price of gasoline?? And the high cost
of a new vehicle???
Everything affects us all!!!
Riding a motorcycle should be for
pleasure, We have a friend that drove
his motorcycle to work at 12:00 noon
through biscayne blvd and a vehicle
decided to change lanes from the
left turning lane to the extreme
right lane, where our friend was
traveling on and he got hurt
“not wearing a helmet” he has a broken
arm under went 2 surgeries, he has been
out of work, all because the stupidity
of another. Just be carefull when driving
your motorcycle, wear the proper gear ,
look everywhere not just in front of you,
be more alert and be safe.
Your speculation that increased ridership ALONE caused the increased fatalities is unwarranted.
Quote from study:
Time series analysis showed a statistically significant increase in fatalities while controlling for changes in motorcycle registrations.
Registrations increased an average 33.7 percent in this time period. Some of the increases in fatalities and other injuries in Florida were probably due to this increased ridership. The expected number of motorcycle fatalities as a result of the increase in registrations was 242. The actual number who died in 2002 was 301, 56 (+24 percent) more motorcycle fatalities than expected as a result of increased registrations alone.
You are right on expanding the study. The facts need to come out. How many of these were survialable in the first place. I just lost a friend to a concrete truck which ran a red light, the driver even admitted to doing it. He wasn’t wearing a helmet, but would it have matter to have a 20 ton concrete truck hit you doing 40 MPH? What would a helmet do for you? A car wouldn’t have stood much of a chance in this one either, but this will be reported at a motorcycle death with out a helmet. We had a rider just three months ago was hit head-on at 55 MPH by a lady who was busy on her cell phone. The rider died, she was wearing a helmet and the report shows her neck was snapped just like DE at Daytona. Did her helmet save her?
There is no mention the increase of registered bikes in these years. Also the period “1997 to 1999” is significant in that cell phones became cheap/common it does not mention how many distracted cell phone users ran over those poor bikers. Cell phone distracted drivers do more damage than helmet laws and THEY should be surcharged.
I agree about the cell phone, some people just can\’t do two things at a time. Now About the helmet laws…I think it is a great idea, I almost died last year, and I have my hemet to thank. What is the big deal not wearing a helmet. Do you not feel cool enough? really what\’s the big deal!!! stop complaining about the little things….there are worse things happening in our world….get over it people….All in all you have a better chance of living!!!!
Looking at the comments, it appears that there is a stong negative correlation between statistical ignorance and wanting to protect one’s brain. Not very surprising…
I’m glad those of us who choose to ride (without a helmet)have someone to speak out on our behalf regarding these studies based on nonsense.
Did these accidents in Fla. increase when the snowbirds are down there not paying attention to the road? Isn’t the average age of a driver down there above 65? Was cell phone use by the driver of the car that pulled out in front of the rider to blame? How about years of riding experience and type of motorcycle involved in the fatality?
These are just more baseless numbers a politician can quote to try and take my right to ride without a helmet away.
Thanks to the goverment for wasting our tax money yet again
Well,
I do not see this as much different than seatbelt laws. It is proven that seatbelts save lives regardless of who is responsible for causing the accident. The same can be said for wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle. If you are in a accident a helmet will increase your chance of survival.
If you have a family you owe it to them to wear a helmet regardless if you are a experiencd rider or not, you cannot protect yourself 100% from other people on the road.
I agree with T. 45% of the riders that died did not wear a helmet. Of those riders, how many would be alive today if they did wear a helmet.
If we participate in this risky activity we owe it to ourselves and our families to do what we can to mitigate the risks while still enjoying ourselves. We can’t control what others do, but we can control what we do.
Not mentioned in the survey is the percentage of increase in the number of licensed motorcucles on the road over the same periods. The study mentions numbers of accidents increased. How does that compare to the percentage of accidents/fatalities per licensed motorcyle? Although I always wear mine, I believe in getting our statistics straight, not necessarily just what we want them to say.
I agree w/ Jerry on the need for actual reporting of all statistics related. Conspicuoulsy absent are any statistics that show how many people were killed in cycle accidents while wearing helmets.
This article begs for more information and clarity. Any study that is undertaken should include the type of accident, type of injury, surviveability based on head protection and compare the true number of helmet related (lack therof) related deaths based on the total number of miles driven by all registered motorcycle riders. I think what you will find is that the deaths per million miles driven has risen only modestly while the number of miles driven has shot up remarkably. If we are going to have a debate on this issue, let’s have all the facts. Then let’s talk about social responsibility versus personal responsibility.
The law should have not been changed
helmets are as important as seat belts.
also all drivers to obtain the motorcycle
endorsement in there lic. they should
go to a class/course on safety ( from the
state not from an independent company)
As a passenger on a motorcycle I
see the way people do not obey signs, change lanes constanly to try and
be the first one in the lane!!!
but I strongly suggest to the
transportation dept. that the street light
signals should become RED on all intersections therefore all traffic
comes to a complete stop, wait 3 to 4 seconds and then change the light.
I think it will be safer for all of us vehicle drivers, motorcycle drivers.
I know it will create be more
traffic, but hey, less fatalities.!!!
Is someone out there willing to establish a caregivers’ group so those who refuse to wear a helmet on motorcycle can care for those who wish they had worn a helmet?
Grace,
I have always shared your opinion about stoplights being red for 3-4 seconds in all directions before changing. These cities that go out and spend 100’s of Thoudands of dollars on stoplight cameras to prevent accidents at intersections could save alot of money if they just adjusted the delay. Then again they really are not trying to prevent accidents but rather make money or else they would do this simple and logical fix.
Did an increase in the sale of motorcyle account for an increase in the number of fatalities?
comment to the ” concerned”
I also see more scooters out on the
street, can it be due to the high
price of gasoline?? And the high cost
of a new vehicle???
Everything affects us all!!!
Riding a motorcycle should be for
pleasure, We have a friend that drove
his motorcycle to work at 12:00 noon
through biscayne blvd and a vehicle
decided to change lanes from the
left turning lane to the extreme
right lane, where our friend was
traveling on and he got hurt
“not wearing a helmet” he has a broken
arm under went 2 surgeries, he has been
out of work, all because the stupidity
of another. Just be carefull when driving
your motorcycle, wear the proper gear ,
look everywhere not just in front of you,
be more alert and be safe.
Your speculation that increased ridership ALONE caused the increased fatalities is unwarranted.
Quote from study:
Time series analysis showed a statistically significant increase in fatalities while controlling for changes in motorcycle registrations.
Registrations increased an average 33.7 percent in this time period. Some of the increases in fatalities and other injuries in Florida were probably due to this increased ridership. The expected number of motorcycle fatalities as a result of the increase in registrations was 242. The actual number who died in 2002 was 301, 56 (+24 percent) more motorcycle fatalities than expected as a result of increased registrations alone.
See following for more details.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/FlaMCReport/pages/Index.htm
Shouldn’t these riders be surcharged somewhere (motorcycle policy, health insurance, etc.) for deliberately increasing the odds of dealth?
You are right on expanding the study. The facts need to come out. How many of these were survialable in the first place. I just lost a friend to a concrete truck which ran a red light, the driver even admitted to doing it. He wasn’t wearing a helmet, but would it have matter to have a 20 ton concrete truck hit you doing 40 MPH? What would a helmet do for you? A car wouldn’t have stood much of a chance in this one either, but this will be reported at a motorcycle death with out a helmet. We had a rider just three months ago was hit head-on at 55 MPH by a lady who was busy on her cell phone. The rider died, she was wearing a helmet and the report shows her neck was snapped just like DE at Daytona. Did her helmet save her?
There is no mention the increase of registered bikes in these years. Also the period “1997 to 1999” is significant in that cell phones became cheap/common it does not mention how many distracted cell phone users ran over those poor bikers. Cell phone distracted drivers do more damage than helmet laws and THEY should be surcharged.
I agree about the cell phone, some people just can\’t do two things at a time. Now About the helmet laws…I think it is a great idea, I almost died last year, and I have my hemet to thank. What is the big deal not wearing a helmet. Do you not feel cool enough? really what\’s the big deal!!! stop complaining about the little things….there are worse things happening in our world….get over it people….All in all you have a better chance of living!!!!
Looking at the comments, it appears that there is a stong negative correlation between statistical ignorance and wanting to protect one’s brain. Not very surprising…