You beat me to posting this article but I think it shows that the debate raging elsewhere on the forum about Federal officials calling for mandatory helmet laws misses the big picture. More powerful sportsbikes, new or returning riders with little or no riding experience or training, lack of helmets or protective gear all add up to more motorcycle fatalities. For that matter, there are a lot more SUVs on the road today compared to 20 years ago which probably increases the chance of a motorcycle fatality when two-wheel metal hits much bigger metal.
Question is what do individual riders do about it and what is the role for the government. For myself as a guy who returned to riding last year after 15 years, I wear a helmet and protective gear, practice my riding skills and plan to sign up for an experienced rider course. For the government, I would support levying an extra fee for people who don't want to wear a helmet if people have a problem with mandatory helmet laws, mandatory rider training in order to get the M endorsement and funding to make the training available, and hefty fines or jail time for anyone - cager or motorcyclist - who causes an accident by failing to yield the right of way.
|